Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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206. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider a new housing aid scheme for 60-65 year olds who can no longer avail of the housing aid for older people scheme; if he has considered that many persons in this age bracket get work done to their homes while they can still qualify for loans from financial institutions and that having to wait until 66 years of age will mean that those with no savings will not be able to do the work needed; if there is any other form of aid for persons in this age bracket with urgent roof improvement works needed who can not afford to pay for it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1947/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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There has been no change to the maximum grant available under the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability which remains at €30,000 or the Mobility Aids Grant which remains at €6,000. In the case of the Housing Aid for Older People (HAOP), the maximum grant paid under this scheme has been reduced from €10,500 to €8,000. The average grant paid to applicants under this scheme in 2011, 2012 and 2013 was €4,162, €4,106 and €3,995 respectively. In the case of an applicant in receipt of the average grant under the HAOP scheme the own resources contribution would amount to around €200. While the age limit for eligibility has been reduced from 60 to 66 years a lower age limit can apply at the discretion of the local authority in certain cases.

Changes to the grant schemes were made on foot of the report by a review group, established in 2013 by my Department, to examine the terms and conditions governing the suite of grants. The aim of the review was to spread the benefits of the scheme s as widely as possible and to ensure fairness and value for money in their operation. I have no proposals to further amend the provisions of the HAOP scheme.

I am increasing the level of funding available for the grant schemes in 2014. Details of the capital allocations will be notified to local authorities later today.