Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 1115: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the procedures in place since the cessation of the housing aid for elderly scheme, run by the Health Service Executive, for applications which remain outstanding under the old HSE scheme to be dealt with by the local authorities under the housing aid for older persons scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2303/09]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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On foot of a Government Decision, taken in February 2006, to transfer the administration of the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme from the Health Service Executive to my Department, that Scheme was discontinued from 1 August 2008, with all applications on hand at that date to be processed by the Health Service Executive. All new applications for home repairs and improvements with effect from 1 August 2008 are directed to the local authorities under the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme.

The Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme has been funded through a Taskforce under the aegis of my Department. My Department provided €14.7 million to the Health Service Executive in 2008 for the operation of the Scheme and I expect to make a further allocation to the Health Service Executive shortly in respect of claims on hand.