Written answers

Tuesday, 20 March 2007

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Grant Payments

11:00 pm

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 924: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to increase the maximum amount payable under the disabled person's grant; if he will means test same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9557/07]

Photo of Pat BreenPat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 940: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of local authorities that include the cost of rewiring under their essential repair grants scheme; the plans to standardise the repairs for which this grant applies to prevent arbitrary discrimination by some local authorities against old age pensioners living alone; the plans to reinstate window repairs and heating installation under the grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9720/07]

Photo of Pat BreenPat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 942: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will announce revised proposals arising out of his review of the disabled persons and essential repairs grant schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9750/07]

Photo of Noel AhernNoel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 924, 940 and 942 together.

Details of the revised housing adaptation grant schemes for older people and people with a disability were announced recently as part of My Department's 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. Arising out of the review, three new schemes will be introduced, a Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, a Mobility Aids Grant Scheme, and a scheme of Housing Aid for Older People.

The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability will assist in the provision/adaptation of accommodation to meet the needs of people with a disability. The grant will be increased from the current effective maximum of €20,320 to a maximum of €30,000, which may cover up to 95% of the cost of works. Prioritisation of eligibility will be on the basis of medical and financial need with 95% of the approved cost of work available to those with annual household incomes of less than €30,000, tapering to 30% for those with annual household incomes of €54,001 to €65,000.

The Mobility Aids Grant Scheme will provide grants to cover a basic suite of works to address mobility problems, primarily but not exclusively, associated with ageing. It will fast track limited grant aid to people on lower incomes (maximum annual household income threshold €30,000). The maximum grant available will be €6,000 and may cover 100% of the cost of works.

The new Housing Aid for Older People scheme will amalgamate the provisions of the existing Essential Repairs and Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Schemes, with the aim of making habitable the homes of older people. 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 matters stand at present, a decision on qualifying works under the Essential Repairs Grant scheme is a matter for the local authority concerned, subject to the broad framework laid down in the Housing (Disabled Persons and Essential Repairs Grant) Regulations 2001. The types of work allowable under the scheme are general repairs such as repairs to roofs, chimneys, gables, repairs/replacement of window, drylining, rewiring, etc. My Department does not have available information on the number of local authorities who currently provide grant aid for rewiring under the scheme. Rewiring, window repairs and heating installation will be eligible for grant aid under the conditions of the new Housing Aid for Older People scheme.

The revised schemes will become operational during 2007 and I intend to issue detailed administrative guidance later this year to all local authorities. This administrative guidance will make explicit precisely what types of works will be covered by each of the schemes.

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