Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that no more funding is available to the Health Service Executive towards the cost of home adaptations for the elderly and disabled; and if he will make available additional funding for this scheme. [25514/07]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Funding towards the cost of home adaptations for the disabled is currently provided through the local authorities under the Disabled Persons Grant scheme. My Department recently announced a new Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability and this will come into operation on 1 November, 2007. The new grant may cover up to 95% of the cost of works and the maximum grant is being increased from €20,320 to €30,000.

In the case of urgently needed remedial works to the homes of the elderly, my Department advised the Health Service Executive on 19 October, 2007, that an additional €7.132 million has been allocated to the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly scheme. This brings the total allocation for 2007 to €19.132 million.