Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 141: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason for the delay in establishing the housing aid for older people scheme with local authorities and the delay in transferring the housing aid for the elderly scheme from the Health Service Executive to local authorities; if his attention has been drawn to the confusion and upset which this causes applicants; and when the plan will be fully implemented. [20783/08]

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 441: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason for the delay in establishing the housing aid for older people scheme with local authorities and the delay in transferring the housing aid for the elderly scheme from the Health Service Executive to the local authorities; if his attention has been drawn to the confusion and upset which this causes applicants; when the plan will be fully implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20665/08]

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 441 together.

The Housing Aid for Older People Scheme 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.

The Scheme facilitates the implementation of a Government Decision, taken in February 2006, to transfer the SHAE from the Health Service Executive (HSE) 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. For that reason it is essential to allow sufficient time to resolve relevant issues, including the allocation of staffing and other resources. It has therefore 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.

In the meantime, applicants who require repairs or improvements to their homes can avail of either the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme or the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme.