David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 533: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if work has begun on the reform of the disabled persons grant scheme; his Department's progress to date; the way he will improve the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31099/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The review of the Disabled Persons Grant scheme, which incorporates the conditions governing the Essential Repairs Grant scheme and the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme was recently finalised within my Department. The aim of the review has been to ensure that the available resources are targeted to those in most need of such assistance, to streamline as far as possible the procedures governing the operation of the grant scheme, and to introduce a level of consistency in operation across local authorities.

Proposals for the future operation of the schemes are now being prepared by my Department, in consultation with other public agencies concerned, and I expect to be in a position to announce these shortly.

A key objective of the Department's Sectoral Plan is to encourage and facilitate access to appropriate housing and accommodation for persons with disabilities. The commitment given in relation to the Disabled Person's Grant scheme is that the reform of the scheme will be completed in 2006;

The review has been completed within the Department and proposals for the future operation of the schemes are currently under consideration. A working group comprising representatives of the Department of Health & Children, the HSE, and local authorities has been convened and will focus on finalising the relevant aspects of the amended schemes in a short space of time. It is expected that the proposals for the future operation of the schemes will be ready to be announced shortly.