Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 595: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to the housing aid for older people scheme; the details of its operation; and the amount of funding provided therefor. [18019/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Housing Aid for Older People Scheme is administered by local authorities and is part of a revised framework of grant aid, introduced in 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 (SHAE), is designed to provide targeted support to improve conditions in the existing housing of older people. It is targeted at older people aged over 60 years, and the maximum grant available is €10,500 which may cover up to 100% of the costs of works for applicants with gross annual household incomes of less than €30,000, tapering to 30% for those with incomes of €54,001 to €65,000. The types of works that may be grant aided under the Scheme are varied and may include structural repairs or improvements, the provision of central heating, water and sanitary services, insulation works, contract-cleaning and painting.

The Scheme facilitates the implementation of a Government Decision, taken in February 2006, to transfer the SHAE from the Health Service Executive to my Department. That decision arose on foot of a recommendation made in the Core Functions of the Health Service Report that a more integrated service and better value for money may be achieved by transferring responsibility for the SHAE to the local authorities, who already had responsibility for the Essential Repairs and Disabled Persons Grant Schemes.

I am conscious of the need to ensure a smooth and seamless transfer of the SHAE from the HSE to the local authority sector. To allow sufficient time to resolve relevant issues, including the allocation of staffing and other resources, it has been agreed with the HSE that the Scheme will continue to operate and be administered by the HSE, until such time as the appropriate arrangements are in place to ensure that the local authorities are in a position to accept the scheme on transfer. My Department is engaged on an ongoing basis with the HSE to conclude this process as quickly as possible.

The Housing Aid for Older People Scheme is funded by 80% recoupment available from my Department together with 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. Notification of combined capital allocations for 2008 in respect of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Schemes will shortly issue to local authorities. It is a matter for local authorities to decide on the level of funding to be provided for the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme in their area, from within the combined allocation notified to them by my Department, and to manage the operation of the Scheme from within this allocation.