Spending by my Department which benefits people with disabilities cannot readily be disaggregated as many of the relevant measures benefit other groups such as elderly persons or persons who are disadvantaged in different ways. Details of the different measures are set out below in respect of the current financial year.
The voluntary housing capital assistance scheme, subhead B.1.4 –€95.864 million, measure includes provision for grants to local authorities under section 15 of the Housing Act 1988 to enable them to advance loans to approved voluntary organisations providing housing for the elderly, homeless, disabled and other disadvantaged persons under the voluntary housing capital assistance scheme.
The disabled person's – essential repairs grants, subhead B.2.2 –€40.749 million, schemes include provision for partial recoupment to local authorities in respect of grants for: adapting a dwelling house to cater for the needs of a disabled person; and prolonging the life of houses – of mainly elderly persons – which are in need of repair.