Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

There is a simple explanation for the numbers. The Deputy might remember that my predecessor, Deputy Michael D. Higgins, ended the grants except for over 65 year olds but, to cut a long story short, they were restored following some issue with the Ombudsman. I agree with the Deputy that it is a fantastic scheme. There are a number of attractions. The amount of money concerned is fairly small and is limited. The scheme is now means-tested and it is quick, efficient and demand-led.

In 1999 I changed the rules and, for the first time, people installing central heating as an essential repaid became eligible for grant assistance. At that time the maximum grant was £2,300 and it was increased to £4,000. We increased the island grant considerably to £12,000. The effect of that was a huge rush of applications. The fantastic beneficial effect was that many people, particularly elderly people and people living in poor circumstances, got central heating for the first time because of the change in the rule. There is a rule that once one gets the grant, one cannot get another grant for seven years. Many people received the grant three, four or five years ago and cannot apply for a grant for further works until the seven years have elapsed. The most common applications are for repairs to doors and windows and for central heating, things in which one can make a significant dent with approximately €5,000. Some 75% of the cost, or €5,000, is provided. Considerably more money is available to those on the islands because the cost of building on them is much higher than on the mainland.

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