Vol. 540 No. 1
330 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if the committee which was assessing the various schemes for housing improvements has reported; and if there are plans to alter the disabled housing grant, essential repair grant and improvement in lieu options which have not been all embracing for those in need of home repairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19895/01]
While no committee has been specifically established to assess the various housing grant schemes, my Department keeps under review the terms and conditions of all these schemes. Significant improvements have been made to the terms and conditions of the disabled persons, essential repairs and improvement works in lieu schemes.
The effective maximum grant available under the disabled persons grant scheme has been doubled from £8,000 to £16,000, with the grant covering up to 90% of the approved cost of the works compared to two-thirds previously. In addition, I have increased the maximum grant available under the essential repairs grant scheme from £1,800 to £7,500. In the case of the improvement works in lieu scheme, I have increased the value of works carried out at the discretion of the local authority without the specific approval of my Department from £20,000 to £50,000.
