A capital allocation of €934,000 for the payment of disabled persons and essential repairs grants in 2004 was notified to Kildare County Council on 20 May. It is a matter for the council to decide on the level of funding to be provided for the schemes in its area from within this combined allocation. Local authorities were advised that where the allocation notified to them was likely to be either inadequate or surplus to their requirements, the Department should be notified to facilitate reallocation of the funds in order to obtain maximum effectiveness from the funding available. It is understood from Kildare County Council that they are examining the adequacy of the allocation notified to them. Any application from the council for an increased allocation will be considered in the context of the funding available for reallocation and the requirements of other local authorities.