Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 1840: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the proposals he has in regard to addressing the problems surrounding the disabled person's grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1515/07]

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 1851: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his 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 disabled persons grant scheme or the essential repairs grant scheme 2006 as they have not got the insight or ability to obtain quotations and so on from builders; his views on whether hands-on help and assistance is needed in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1718/07]

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 1910: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will announce new proposals for the operation of the disabled persons grant scheme. [3009/07]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1840, 1851 and 1910 together.

The administration of the Disabled Persons and Essential Repairs Grant schemes is a matter for the local authorities within the framework laid down in statutory regulations which, as far as practicable, is designed to give an appropriate degree of flexibility at local level. Local authorities are encouraged to operate the schemes in a sympathetic and flexible manner, having regard to the needs of the applicants.

In recent years local authorities have made significant improvements in the range of customer care services and supports they supply. Among these improvements are web-based customer support services, lo-call customer care phone services and customer care desks. Older persons experiencing difficulties with grant application processes or any other services offered by local authorities can access the customer care supports offered by their own local authority. The services of Citizen Information Centres can also be utilised by applicants experiencing difficulties applying for the Disabled Persons or the Essential Repairs Grant schemes.

A review of the Disabled Persons Grant scheme, which incorporated the conditions governing the Essential Repairs Grant scheme and the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly scheme, has been completed within my Department. The aim of the review was to ensure that the available resources are targeted to those in most need of assistance, to streamline, as far as possible, the procedures governing the operation of the grant schemes, and to introduce a level of consistency in operation across local authorities.

Proposals for the future operation of the schemes will be announced shortly in the context of a new Housing Policy Statement. The specific needs of older applicants will be further considered in the context of the administrative guidance on the revised grant schemes, which I intend to issue to local authorities later this year.