Mary Wallace (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 362: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the criteria under the housing aid scheme for the elderly which prevents two elderly persons from qualifying for the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5599/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the special housing aid for the elderly scheme, which is operated by the Health Service Executive, formerly the health boards, in line with various guidelines issued from time to time by the task force which administers the scheme under the aegis of my Department, aid is provided to improve the housing conditions of elderly persons living alone in unfit or insanitary conditions. The household may include more than one elderly person. Aid is not available where others who are not elderly are resident in the house. Decisions to grant assistance in individual cases are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive at local level and it is a matter for the relevant community care department to determine, within the funds available, the priority of cases on hand.