Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 508: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position with regard to grants or financial assistance to carry out necessary improvements and repairs to an old house so as to make it habitable; the assistance which is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37938/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There are a number of schemes operated by my Department which provide financial assistance for the improvement of houses in order to make them habitable. The essential repairs grant scheme is designed to enable people whose houses cannot be made habitable in all respects at a reasonable cost to have basic repairs carried out. The types of work allowable under the scheme, which is administered by local authorities, include repairs to roofs, chimneys, gables, repair or replacement of windows and doors, drylining, rewiring and provision of central heating. The maximum effective grant under the scheme is €9,523 and can cover up to 100% of the cost of the works. Some 2,075 grants were paid under the scheme in 2004 at a cost of €9.585 million.

The disabled persons grant scheme, which is also administered by local authorities, provides grant assistance for works necessary for the proper accommodation of disabled persons including older people. The types of work allowable under the scheme include the provision of access ramps, downstairs toilet facilities, stairlifts, accessible showers, adaptations to facilitate wheelchair access and extensions. The maximum effective grant under the scheme is €20,320 and can cover up to 90% of the cost of the works. Some 5,222 grants were paid under the scheme in 2004 at a cost of €45.814 million.

The special housing aid for the elderly scheme was established to provide assistance, by way of necessary emergency repairs, to improve conditions in the existing house of elderly persons living alone in unfit or unsanitary conditions. The scheme is operated by a task force under the aegis of my Department and is operated at local level by the Health Service Executive. Some 4,414 jobs were completed under the scheme in 2004 at a cost of €10.8 million.

In addition, people will benefit from the central heating programme introduced by my Department in July 2004. The programme assists local authorities in providing central heating facilities for rented dwellings which lack them. This scheme has been extended for a further period in 2005.