Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1058: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if central heating for the elderly and disabled is covered under his Department's guidelines to local authorities for the disabled person's grants; and if not, if he will issue such a directive. [10039/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of appropriate heating systems is eligible for funding under both the disabled persons and essential repairs grant schemes. Decisions on the type and extent of work which may be grant aided in individual cases are matters for the local authorities, which are responsible for the administration of the schemes.

Under the terms of the special housing aid for the elderly scheme, which is operated by the Health Service Executive, provision of a suitable heating system appropriate to the needs of the elderly person in the context of the other improvements and repairs works to dwelling may also be funded. In addition, in July 2004, my Department introduced a new central heating programme to assist local authorities in providing central heating facilities in their rented dwellings which lack them. That scheme has been extended for a further period in 2005.