Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will clarify the rules regarding the obligations of elderly people who apply for grant aid to local authorities under the housing aid scheme for the elderly scheme; if all applicants need to supply tax clearance certificates; if a person applies for a grant under €10,000, if that person needs to supply a tax clearance certificate; and if his Department has advised local authorities accordingly. [2870/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Department of Finance Circular 44 of 2006 (Tax Clearance Procedures Grants, Subsidies and Similar Type Payments) sets down revised procedures to be followed in the operation of the tax clearance scheme for applicants for all grants from State and public sector bodies, which apply to all applications received after 1 January 2007.

As regards the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme, in the case of a grant application totalling €10,000 or more, applicants are required to produce a valid Tax Clearance Certificate. As an alternative to producing a valid Tax Clearance Certificate, arrangements are in place whereby an applicant may authorise the relevant local authority to confirm electronically that he/she holds a valid Tax Clearance Certificate by using the on-line verification facility on the Revenue Commissioners' website, www.revenue.ie. Provision for this authorisation is made on the Housing Aid for Older People application form.

In the case of grant applications for less than €10,000, applicants are not required to submit a Tax clearance Certificate but must confirm that, to the best of their knowledge, their tax affairs are in order.

Detailed administrative guidance underpinning the operation of the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme, including tax clearance procedures, was issued to all local authorities in October 2007.