179 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if the regulations governing the essential repair scheme will be amended to allow old age pensioners, whose carers are living with them and claiming a carer's allowance, to be eligible for the essential repairs grant. [5211/02]

In accordance with statutory regulations, the essential repairs grant scheme is operated by local authorities and is designed to give an appropriate degree of flexibility to the authorities. Within broad overall guidelines set by my Department, it is a matter for each local authority to decide the level of funding to be provided for the scheme in their area, to assess the circumstances of each individual applicant, to decide what works are necessary to prolong the useful life of the house for the occupants, to determine the level of grants in individual cases and the circumstances in which a grant may be paid.

Neither the regulations nor the guidelines make reference to carers and it would be a matter for the relevant local authority to determine whether a grant may be payable in the light of the particular circumstances of each individual case.