Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 550: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to increase funding to local authorities to permit an increase in the essential repairs grant as operated by the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19436/07]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 551: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to re-assess the funding for disabled persons grants in view of the fact that the present system of top up grants from the Health Service Executive and the present ceiling of payments by local authorities is proving difficult for applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19437/07]

Niall Collins (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 574: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to amalgamate the grant schemes (details supplied) which often overlap in terms of applicant criteria and eligibility. [18948/07]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 550, 551 and 574 together.

Details of the revised housing adaptation grant schemes for older people and people with a disability were announced as part of the Government'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.

Three new schemes are to 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 provide targeted support to improve conditions in the existing housing of older people, and amalgamates the provisions of the existing Essential Repairs and Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Schemes. 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.

The revised schemes, which will involve a more streamlined operation, are designed to ensure that the available funding is targeted at those most in need and will provide a more seamless set of responses to the needs of older people and people with a disability. It is expected that the revised schemes will be implemented during 2007 and detailed administrative guidance on the operation of the schemes will be issued to local authorities in due course.