Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 262: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason a new scheme (details supplied) was announced with such fanfare and deemed to be operational from 1 November 2007 in view of the fact that there is no budget at present in place for this scheme. [32734/07]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Housing Aid for Older People Scheme, which was introduced on 1 November 2007, amalgamates the provisions of the old Essential Repairs Grant Scheme and the existing Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme, with the aim of assisting older people in carrying out necessary repairs and improvements to their homes.

The Essential Repairs Grant Scheme ceased on 31 October 2007 and the relevant funding, which was allocated to local authorities for the administration of this Scheme in 2007, has been re-directed to fund the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme, from 1 November to the end of this year.

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.

In 2008, the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme will be funded from monies previously allocated to the Essential Repairs and Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Grant Schemes. Local authorities will be notified of individual allocations following the publication of the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2008.