Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 571: 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. [13919/07]

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 Government's new housing policy statement Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities.

My Department is currently preparing administrative guidance in relation to the operation of the revised schemes and this will be issued to local authorities in due course. My Department is also 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 from the Health Service Executive to the local authorities.

The revised schemes will come into operation during 2007. The existing Disabled Persons, Essential Repairs and Special Housing Aid for the Elderly grant schemes will continue to operate until the new schemes become effective.