Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 203: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the arrangements being put in place by local authorities to assume responsibilities for the housing aid for the elderly scheme which is to be transferred from the Health Service Executive; when this proposed transfer will take effect; if personnel who are currently engaged in the scheme will transfer to the local authorities or if new personnel will be recruited; if the scheme will alter as a result of this transfer; if there are proposed changes to the scheme upon transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6950/07]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Details of the revised housing adaptation grant schemes for older people and people with a disability were announced recently as part of the new housing policy statement Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities. The revised schemes are based on the outcome of the review of the Disabled Persons Grant scheme which was recently completed within my Department. The review also incorporated the conditions governing the Essential Repairs Grant scheme and the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly scheme.

As part of the revised conditions, a specific scheme to be known as the scheme of Housing Aid for Older People (HOP) will be introduced, and will provide targeted support to improve conditions in the existing housing of older people. The scheme, which amalgamates the provisions of the Essential Repairs and Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Schemes, will be administered by the local authorities. The maximum grant available will be €10,500 and may cover 100% of the cost of works for applicants with an annual household income of less than €30,000, tapering to 30% for those with annual household incomes of €54,001 to €65,000.

As part of the review process my Department convened a working group comprising representatives of the Department of Health & Children, the HSE, and local authorities, to finalise proposals arising from the review of the schemes and to advise on the implementation of the Government Decision to transfer responsibility for the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme from the HSE to the local authorities. The working group is in the process of assessing the additional resources that may be required by local authorities, if any, as a result of the transfer of the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly scheme.

It is not intended that there will be any transfer of HSE staff to local authorities as part of the new scheme. It is expected that the Scheme of Housing Aid for Older People will come into operation during 2007 and I intend to issue detailed administrative guidance to all local authorities later this year.