Vol. 561 No. 4
457 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the position regarding funding for the refurbishment of houses, installation of modern heating and the closure of lanes in Moorfield estate, Clondalkin, which was first promised in 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4722/03]
My Department received proposals from the South Dublin County Council for approval to seek tenders for the refurbishment of 85 houses in Moorfield Estate, Clondalkin under the remedial works scheme. The proposals are currently under examination in my Department and a decision will be conveyed to the council as soon as possible.
458 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of applications for the disabled persons grant; the yearly expenditure on this grant by each local authority for 2000 to 2002, inclusive; the average length of time from receipt of completed application to the approval of the grant; the proposed funding allocated for the disabled persons grant to each local authority in 2003; the process of application for and sanctioning of the grant; and if he plans to review the process to improve it. [4723/03]
The available information on the number of applications received and the amount paid by each local authority in respect of the disabled persons grants scheme in 2000 and 2001 is published in the Department's annual housing statistics bulletin for the years in question. Copies of the bulletin are available in the Oireachtas Library. At present figures for 2002 are being compiled and will be published, in due course, in the 2002 annual bulletin.
As the administration of the disabled persons grants scheme, including the process of application and sanctioning of the grant, is a matter for local authorities, information regarding the length of time taken to process an application from receipt to approval stage is not available in my Department. Notification of capital allocations for the scheme in 2003 will issue as soon as all authorities have submitted their expenditure outturns for 2002 and estimates for 2003.
The operation of the disabled persons grant scheme is currently being reviewed in my Department.
