Housing Adaptation Grants Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 April 2013

Tuesday, 30 April 2013

Questions (394)

Barry Cowen

Question:

394. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government following the fact that his Department's funding to Offaly County Council under the housing adaption grants for persons with disabilities has been reduced from €300,000.00 in 2010 to €47,063.00 in 2013, if he will acknowledge that such an allocation is insufficient for all works required to meet the needs of applicants. [19819/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

The suite of Grants for Older People and People with a Disability are funded by 80% recoupments available from my Department together with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority.

In January 2013, my Department requested local authorities to submit details of their funding requirements under the grant schemes for this year. Offaly County Council requested capital funding of €500,000 and an allocation of €500,000 was notified to the Council on 22 February.

In the case of adaptations to the Council’s own housing stock I allocated €47,063 for these works in 2013. The Council have requested additional funding this year in respect of works at two locations. All of the available funding has been allocated at this time and the Council’s request will be considered in the event of any savings arising under this measure over the course of the year.