Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if under the framework of Delivering Homes Sustaining Communities, the administration of the special housing aid for the elderly scheme will be taken from the Health Service Executive and carried out by the local authority; and the guidelines and details in relation to the new scheme being planned. [24602/07]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 234: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the changes proposed for schemes (details supplied) administered by the local authorities and the Health Service Executive; the new guidelines that have been agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24603/07]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 234 together.

Details of the revised housing adaptation grant schemes for older people and people with a disability were announced earlier this year as part of the Government's new housing policy statement Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities. 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 new framework of grants will become operational on 1 November 2007.

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 aging. It will fast track 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.

In the case of the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme, it has been agreed with the Health Service Executive that, in order to facilitate transitional arrangements, the scheme will continue to operate, and be administered by the Health Service Executive until 31 March 2008. All applications received up to this date will be processed by the Health Service Executive under the existing terms and conditions governing the scheme. From 1 April 2008, the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme will cease operation and all future applications for grant aid will be processed by the local authorities under the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme.