Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 2

Written Answers - Housing Aid for the Elderly.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

180 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the criteria by which elderly people qualify for house repairs-improvement grants under the housing aid for the elderly scheme; if this scheme is means tested; if so, if he will outline the criteria for this test; and if the income of non-resident adult children is taken into account in such an assessment. [12469/01]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy):

The special housing aid for the elderly scheme, which is administered by a task force under the aegis of my Department, provides assistance to improve the housing conditions of elderly persons living alone in unfit or unsanitary conditions. The scheme is operated by the health boards in line with the various guidelines issued from time to time by my Department and is not means tested.

I have arranged for a copy of the guidelines to issue to the Deputy.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

181 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will put in place an initiative to reduce waiting times for the housing aid for the elderly scheme. [12470/01]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy):

In recognition of the valuable work being done under the special housing aid for the elderly scheme, funding has been increased significantly in recent years from £4.1 million in 1997 to £8.65 million this year.

In addition, as part of the continuing efforts to improve the operation of the scheme, a review was carried out by my Department last year. Progress has been made on a number of recommendations contained in that review, including the use of the FÁS community employment scheme, fast-tracking of applications for heating systems directly to plumbing or electrical contractors and encouragement by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs of participants in their back to work programme to tender for work under the housing aid scheme. These are being implemented in the Western Health Board area on a pilot basis and will be extended to all health board areas in the near future in addition to the use of the community youth training programme which has been a long standing feature of the scheme.