Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 522: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in respect of the abolition of the special housing aid for the elderly scheme as currently administered by the Health Service Executive, he will review this decision in view of the flexibility of that scheme as compared to other or newer grant schemes as administered by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29542/07]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 540: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in relation to the scheme of housing aid for older people, he will clarify the age criteria necessary for applicants. [29536/07]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 541: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reasoning behind the abolition of the special housing aid for the elderly scheme from the Health Service Executive due to the introduction of the housing aid for older people scheme as administered by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29537/07]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 543: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will allow local authorities discretion and flexibility when dealing with applications for the housing aid for older people scheme; if the scheme will be extended to people who are not over the age of 65 years on a discretionary basis where there are clear medical or compassionate grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29539/07]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 544: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in respect of the scheme of housing aid for older people, he will give local authorities the ability to arrange for private contractors to carry out the works for applicants who are not in a position to do so themselves (details supplied). [29540/07]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 545: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if local authorities, in administering the new scheme of housing aid for older people will be able to respond to emergency situations in a rapid manner with priority being given to having the works carried out rather than formal administration of the scheme, similar to the way the Health Service Executive were able to assist people under the special housing aid for the elderly scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29541/07]

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 522, 540, 541 and 543 to 545, inclusive, together.

The Scheme of Housing Aid for Older People is part of a revised framework of grant aid, introduced on 1 November 2007, to assist older people and people with a disability with their accommodation needs. The scheme, which amalgamates the provisions of the old Essential Repairs Grant Scheme and the existing Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme, is designed to provide targeted support to improve conditions in the existing housing of older people.

The new scheme facilitates the implementation of a Government Decision, taken in February 2006, to transfer the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme from the Health Service Executive to the local authority sector. The Government Decision arose on foot of a recommendation made in the Core Functions of the Health Service Report which stated that a more integrated service and better value for money may be achieved by transferring responsibility for the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme to the local authorities, who already had responsibility for the Essential Repairs and Disabled Persons Grant Schemes.

The Regulations underpinning the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme do not specify an age qualification. Local authorities have been advised, in general, to restrict the payment of grants under the scheme to people aged 60 years and over. However, where in the opinion of the local authority, genuine cases of hardship exist or where there are specific relevant medical grounds, local authorities may consider the payment of a grant to individuals who are less than 60 years of age.

In order to facilitate a smooth and seamless transfer of the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme from the Health Service Executive to the local authority sector, and to ensure the satisfactory resolution of outstanding issues, it has been agreed that the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme will continue to operate, and be administered by the Health Service Executive, until 31 March 2008. From 1 April 2008, that Scheme will cease operation (except for the processing of applications on hand as of 31 March 2008) and all future applications for grant aid will be processed by the local authorities under the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme.

In the meantime, my Department will continue to work with the Health Service Executive to ensure that all outstanding issues are addressed satisfactorily. In particular, I am very aware that the integrity and flexibility of the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme must be maintained under the new regime. In this context, I intend to develop protocols to govern arrangements between the HSE and the housing authorities in order to respond to emergency situations and also to address the specific needs of the more vulnerable members of our older community.

Under the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme, my Department has recommended that local authorities should advertise for interested contractors who wish to have their names included on a panel of contractors available for the carrying out of works under the Scheme. It is intended that such a panel will be an administrative mechanism to assist applicants in sourcing contractors. This practice has been in place in many local authorities for several years and is working very effectively. The issue of local authorities hiring contractors directly to carry out works for applicants who are not in a position to do so themselves will be examined further in the context of ongoing discussions with the Health Service Executive.

I am confident that the new Housing Aid for Older People Scheme will successfully address the housing needs of older people by providing a speedy, more integrated and targeted response to their needs.