Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 757: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some older persons, living alone and without immediate family are experiencing difficulties with applying for or availing of the special housing aid for the elderly schemes as they have not got the insight or ability to obtain quotations and so on from builders; her views on whether hands-on help and assistance is needed in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1719/07]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The HSE has informed my Department that it is aware of the problems referred to by the Deputy. The HSE tries, at all stages of the process, to reduce or eliminate the problem. The current high level activity in the construction sector poses obvious challenges in getting contractors for small jobs.

As early as the application stage many HSE staff — social workers for older persons, community welfare officers, environmental health officers and public health nurses — are involved in the process, initiating applications and acting as advocates for the client. In the case of every approved application, the approval letter invites the client, if they have any difficulties in having the work carried out, to contact a named member of staff. At the time of initial assessment staff will often identify that assistance is needed and will, where necessary, help the client to source a contractor after the application is approved.