Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 346: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the criteria used when he set the means test applying to the housing adaptation grant scheme and housing aid for older people grant scheme; the rationale for setting the lower threshold of the means test at such a low income; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the means test threshold is so low that it can mean that many couples who are exempt from income tax will not qualify for the full grant; his plans, to review and change the criteria to bring it into line with other Government schemes and allowances. [28100/08]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Scheme, and the Housing Aid for Older People schemes were introduced following my Department's review of the Disabled Persons, Essential Repairs and Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Grant Schemes. One of the primary aims of the review was to ensure that the available resources are targeted to those in most need of assistance. Under the previous schemes, some local authorities applied a means test, while others did not. The standardised means test introduced under the new schemes, including the income thresholds and bands provided for, were designed to ensure that a fair and uniform approach applies across all local authority areas, and that those households in greatest need benefit from the available funding. As part of the means-testing provisions, local authorities have been instructed to apply various income disregards in the calculation of household means, including disregards for children and students, and in respect of a range of welfare payments such as Carer's Benefit/Allowance. In addition, the income thresholds and bands will be adjusted annually in line with inflation. A review of the operation of the new schemes will be undertaken following their first year of full implementation.