Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 458: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will establish a review of the equity of treatment of people in the private rent sector, who currently do not have enough income to qualify for affordable housing, who are excluded from rent supplement scheme and the rent accommodation scheme and are caught in a trap whereby it is difficult for them to better themselves. [16006/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's housing policy aims to ensure that there is a broad range of housing options available to match the diversity of housing need. This includes options to improve the affordability of renting for low-income groups and provide paths to home ownership, where appropriate.

The supply of affordable housing has consistently increased over the past few years from about 2,000 units in 2004 to almost 3,600 units last year and further expansion is envisaged under the National Development Plan in line with Towards 2016 commitments. To underpin this expansion, I asked the Affordable Homes Partnership to consider how the range of existing affordable housing mechanisms might be enhanced. A resultant report entitled Increasing Affordable Housing Supply has now been published. The report's recommendations are based on optimising the output from the existing mechanisms and includes a proposal to introduce a new affordable housing product based on an equity loan arrangement to be used in conjunction with the existing schemes.

I have launched a public consultation on this report, which is to be concluded by 30 May 2008. There will also be structured engagement with the social partners, housing practitioners and financiers on this report. These consultations will address, inter alia, views on the proposed new product, the targeting of affordable housing and the need for affordable renting, and the results of the consultation will inform the further development of affordable housing policy.

In addition, the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which is expected to be published during the present Dáil session, will include provisions to give effect to the incremental purchase scheme which was signalled in the housing policy statement Delivering homes, Sustaining Communities. This scheme will be targeted at households with an income lower than that required for affordable housing. Arrangements are also being considered for the piloting of the proposed scheme in certain areas.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 459: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on developing a support scheme for persons with a disability who are employed, who wish to acquire a home adapted to their needs but who would not necessarily meet the criteria necessary to qualify for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16007/08]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 474: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the assistance available for the construction of a new home for a person with a disability where the person is capable of living independently and the family would contribute part of the cost. [16406/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 459 and 474 together.

My Department operates a number of schemes designed to assist people with a disability, including those in employment, with their accommodation needs.

The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability Scheme, which is administered by local authorities, assists in the provision/adaptation of accommodation to meet the needs of people with a disability. The types of works grant aided under the Scheme are varied and may include the provision of access ramps, grab rails, downstairs toilet facilities, stair-lifts, accessible showers, adaptations to facilitate wheelchair access, extensions etc.

Under the Scheme, grant aid is available to applicants, including those in full-time employment, who have gross household incomes of up to €65,000 p.a. In determining eligibility under the Scheme, local authorities are obliged to apply various income disregards, including, inter alia, allowances for children, Family Income Supplement, Carer's Benefit/Allowance, Domiciliary Care Allowance and Respite Care Grant.

In addition, the Adaptation Grant for New Houses is available to people with a disability who purchase or build new houses which require adaptation works to meet specific accommodation needs. The effective maximum grant available is €14,500, which may cover up to 95% of the cost of works.

People with a disability who are in employment may also apply for grant aid under the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme. The Scheme, which is also administered by local authorities, provides grants to cover a basic suite of works to address mobility problems. The Scheme fast tracks grant aid to people on lower incomes (maximum annual household income threshold €30,000). The effective maximum grant available is €6,000 and may cover 100% of the cost of works. The types of works grant aided under the Scheme may include grab-rails, access ramps, level access showers and stair-lifts.

The Government's Housing Policy Statement, Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities, reflects the commitment in Towards 2016 to develop a national housing strategy for people with a disability. Work on this strategy has commenced and will be progressed with a view to completion in 2009. The range of housing options and related supports available to people with a disability will be examined further in that context.