Michael Ring
Question:300 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will increase the grant sanctioned for an extension to a recreation centre (details supplied) in Westport, County Mayo. [29656/00]
Written Answers. - Security of the Elderly.
My Department received a proposal earlier this year from Westport Urban District Council for approval to using internal housing capital receipts to fund an extension to the community centre at the rear of the council's old persons dwellings scheme at Ploughastal Court, Dis tillery Road, Westport. However, as local authority internal housing capital receipts are required to fund the provision of new local authority housing and as no new local authority housing was involved in this particular proposal, the Department was not in a position to approve the proposal.
I understand the council recently re-activated its application on the basis of having received notification of a grant of £20,000 which had been approved by the Minister for Health and Children from lottery funds. In the circumstances, the council's application to utilise internal capital receipts is being re-examined in my Department and a decision will be conveyed to the council as soon as possible.