Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 1453: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason the means test for the housing adaption grant for people with a disability is based on the family income of the previous tax year in view of the fact that the application for such grants often accompanies a fundamental cut in the family income due to the illness of a family member; the plans he has to have these applications based on the current family income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30215/08]

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. The means-test is applied to the income of the applicant in the previous tax year in order to facilitate the assessment of applicants on the same basis, including those who are not assessed under the PAYE scheme.

A review of the operation of the new schemes will be undertaken following their first year of full implementation.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 1454: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the funding provided in 2007 and to date in 2008 to a local authority (details supplied) under the housing aid for older people grant; the number of grants completed by the local authority during this period; the number of grants outstanding during this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30237/08]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 1455: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the funding provided in 2007 and 2008 to a local authority (details supplied) under the mobility aids housing grant scheme; the number of grants completed by the local authority during this period; the number of grants outstanding during this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30238/08]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 1456: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the funding provided in 2007 and 2008 to a local authority (details supplied) under the housing adaption grant scheme for people with a disability; the number of grants completed by the local authority during this period; the number of grants outstanding during this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30239/08]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 1457: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of essential repair grants completed by a local authority (details supplied) in each of the past three years; the funding provided under this grant for each of these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30240/08]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 1458: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of disabled persons grants completed by a local authority (details supplied) for each of the past three years; the funding provided under the grant for each of these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30241/08]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1454 to 1458, inclusive, together.

The administration of the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability, which were introduced in November 2007 in place of the Essential Repairs and Disabled Person's Grant Schemes, is a matter for individual local authorities.

The revised schemes — the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme and the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme — are funded by 80% recoupment available from my Department together with 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. This compares with a 66% contribution from my Department towards the operation of the previous Disabled Persons and Essential Repairs Grant schemes, and a 33% contribution from the resources of the local authority. It is a matter for local authorities to decide on the specific level of funding to be directed towards each of the schemes, from within the combined allocation notified to them by my Department, and to manage the operation of the schemes in their areas from within this allocation.

The details of the grants and funding made available to Kildare County Council towards the operation of these grant schemes are set out in the following table: