Released on: April 17, 2008, 10:19 am

Press Release Author: Mark Dunphy/Dunphy Public Relations

Industry: Government

Press Release Summary: Thursday, April 17 2008 - Minister of State and Clare T.D.,
Tony Killeen this week confirmed that the Government had allocated EUR5m to the
Health Service Executive (HSE) Western Area to carry out essential repairs to homes
occupied by elderly persons living on their own.

Press Release Body: The Minister said that amount was the largest allocated under
the 2008 Special Housing Aid for the Elderly (SHAE) Scheme. The remaining
allocations include EUR3M for HSE Dublin/North East, EUR2m for HSE Dublin/Mid
Leinster and EUR3M for HSE Southern.

"I was delighted to receive confirmation of the allocation from my Ministerial
colleague Mr. Batt O'Keeffe, T.D., Minister for Housing, Urban Renewal and
Developing Areas. The funding under the scheme allows for work to be carried out in
homes at a minimal cost to the State, allowing older people to live in their own
homes for longer, which is what this Government wants to encourage as much as
possible", explained Minister Killeen.

He continued, "The Minister also informed me that he remains committed to ensuring
that the needs of the elderly are not compromised in any way during the transfer of
the SHAE Scheme to the local authority sector. It has been agreed with the HSE that
the SHAE will continue to operate, and be administered by the HSE, until such a time
as all outstanding issues arising from the transfer are fully and satisfactorily
resolved."

Since the introduction of the scheme in 1982 almost 79,000 households have had
repairs carried out to their homes. Over the last 10 years the Department of the
Environment, Heritage and Local Government has provided almost EUR145m for the
continued operation of the scheme.

According to Minister Killeen, "In 2007 the total allocated to this scheme amounted
to over EUR19.1m with close to 6,700 households assisted. By continuing to operate
the scheme in its current format, for a further period of time, we will safeguard
the needs of this vulnerable group.\"

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Environment Heritage and
Local Government and Communication Energy and Natural Resources with special
responsibility for Environment and Energy, is available for interview and further
comment on 0035387-2525304. Alternatively please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy
Public Relations on 00353868534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- High-resolution images of Minister Killeen are available on request

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
00353-868534900 (mobile)
00353-656839692 (fax)

Web Site: http://www.dunphypr.com

Contact Details: Dunphy Public Relations, Connolly, Ennis, County Clare, Ireland
Tel: +353 (0) 86 853 4900 Email:media@dunphypr.com