Ceist:
427 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if a scheme is available for people to improve run-down privately owned houses. [12068/01]
Written Answers - House Improvement Schemes.
There are a number of targeted options currently available to assist vulnerable groups such as lower income households and elderly persons to secure necessary improvements works to their houses. These include the local authority house improvement loan scheme, the disabled persons and essential repairs grant scheme, the improvement works in lieu of local authority housing scheme and the task force on special housing aid for the elderly. I have no proposals at this stage to re-introduce a more generally available house improvement grant scheme. Any consideration of a re-introduction of house improvement grants must have regard to the capacity constraints in the construction sector and consequent impacts on costs and availability of contractors.