§ Mr. Wheelerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what level of topping up care costs is acceptable to his Department in respect of hostel deficit grant applications; and what levels of topping up care costs were accepted in each of the recent approvals.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergIn considering applications for hostel deficit grant and the level of topping up costs which are acceptable, each case is considered on its merits. In recent cases topping up costs have been allowed up to three and four times the normal management costs provided for by this Department's allowances. The principal factors which are 373W taken into account are the main purpose of the hostel, the responsibilities of the management staff, their number in relation to the number of residents, and the total management costs in relation to the normal management allowances.
Mr. Wheeler asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why five hostels run by Turning Point, which were previously approved by his Department for a grant under circular 21/73, have had their application for a hostel deficit grant rejected; and on what basis he made this decision.
§ Mr. Soleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what level of topping up care costs are acceptable in respect of hostel deficit grant applications;
(2) why five hostels run by Turning Point and approved by the Department of Health and Social Security under circular 21/73 have had their hostel deficit grant application rejected.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThese hostels have not previously been approved by this Department for a grant under circular 21/73. An application for hostel deficit grant (HDG) under the Housing Act 1974 has been received in respect of them but they are not acceptable under the normal rules used for assessing eligibility. This is because, on the basis of the information supplied by Turning Point, the proportion of non-housing provision is too high.