Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 July 2013
367. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views regarding a resolution adopted at the June 2013 meeting of Limerick County Council regarding a request by Limerick County Council to allocate further funds for housing adaptation grants and housing aids for older people grants. [33017/13]
View answer369. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has received the resolution adopted by Limerick County Council requesting further funds for housing adaptation grants and housing aid for older persons grants; if he will award same; if he will discuss with the Department of Health a combined approach to dealing with grant applications which would enable the infirm and elderly to remain in their homes rather than entering the fair deal nursing scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33056/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 367 and 369 together.
On 22 February 2013 I announced capital allocations to local authorities under the suite of Grants for Older People and People with a Disability amounting to €42.750 million. This year I allocated local authorities the full amount of their contractual commitments, and the balance of the available funding was allocated on the basis of each authority’s share of the new applications on hand in January 2013. A small capital reserve was set aside to deal with any acute or particular difficulty which might arise in the operation of the schemes over the course of the year. Following requests from 13 local authorities for supplementary funding, I subsequently approved additional allocations totalling €1.2 million. I am continuing to keep the position in regard to funding under active review.
My Department is currently reviewing the operation of the grant schemes in consultation with the local authorities and groups representing older people and people with disabilities. I acknowledge the supports provided by other public bodies and agencies in facilitating older people and people with disabilities to continue living independently in their own homes. My Department will continue to explore all opportunities to stretch the available resources, including through co-operation with the Health Service Executive, in order to extend the benefits of the grant schemes to as many households as possible.
