I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 147 together.
The voluntary housing sector is a significant provider of social housing for persons with specific categories of need and the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) has provided a significant proportion of the capital for the provision of these units over the years. The table sets out the Exchequer allocation for CAS from 2009 to 2012 and the amount of actual expenditure by my Department for each of these years.
Year
|
CAS Exchequer Allocation
|
CAS Actual Expenditure
|
2009
|
€110,000,000
|
€158,512,741
|
2010
|
€145,000,000
|
€113,647,625
|
2011
|
€90,000,000
|
€38,441,598
|
2012
|
€70,000,000
|
|
It is not possible to give figures as to the estimated level of commitments carried forward on the CAS going into 2009, 2010 and 2011. Work is currently underway on preparing the Social Housing Investment Programme for 2012, including projects funded under CAS. Information submitted for the 2012 programme is still being collated and it will be some time before all the necessary material has been examined. I will, in the context of an examination of existing programme commitments under CAS, give consideration to the financial scope for new CAS projects during 2012. I envisage making announcements in relation to budgets or allocations for the various housing supply programmes in early March.