Vol. 448 No. 5
21 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment the number of approved applications on hand by local authorities under the repairs in lieu of local authority housing scheme; and the number of these applications that have not yet had finance provided for them. [2347/95]
Details of activity under the plan for social housing, including the improvement works in lieu of local authority housing scheme, are published regularly in my Department's housing statistics bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library. The latest Bulletin gives details for the nine month period to 30 September, 1994. Information in respect of the full year is at present being compiled and will be published in the Annual Housing Statistics Bulletin, 1994.
The returns from local authorities for this scheme for the period up to 30 September 1994 indicate that there were 202 houses approved but not commenced and that a further 509 houses had been identified as suitable for improvement under the scheme. Implementation of the scheme is a matter for the local authorities, having regard to their assessment of its potential to meet housing needs in their area and the capital allocation available to them for the scheme. My Department's sanction is only required where the cost of works on any house exceeds £10,000 — a figure which is under review at present. As a result, the only details of applications available to my Department are those published in the quarterly bulletins.
Housing authorities' claims for funding under the scheme in 1995 are currently being examined. The allocation for individual authorities will be determined as soon as possible having regard to the competing needs of authorities and the capital available for the scheme.
In addition to the capital allocations to authorities specifically for this scheme, they can avail of the flexibility which exists within their overall housing capital allocation to alter, with my approval, the breakdown of amounts allocated to them where they consider it is appropriate to do so in order to reflect local priorities or ensure the most effective use of available resources.
