Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 January 2010
297 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of applications for disabled person’s grants with local authorities that are held up awaiting the availability of funding; the action he proposes to take to address this issue in the short term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2916/10]
Amharc ar fhreagra298 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the number of applications in the hands of local authorities for disabled person’s grants; if his attention has been further drawn to the shortage of funding for such purposes; if he has received communication from the local authorities regarding same; if he will provide the necessary funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2917/10]
Amharc ar fhreagra304 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if funding will be allocated to Kildare County Council to meet disabled person’s grant requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2923/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 297, 298 and 304 together.
In order comprehensively to assess the overall level of demand for grant assistance under the suite of Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability, my Department requested local authorities to submit details of their funding requirements for 2010 by 22 January, with a view to determining the allocations for this year as soon as possible afterwards.
The allocations are calculated on foot of detailed discussion between my Department and the local authorities and on the basis of the projected level of demand for grants, taking account of the applications on hand that have been assessed as eligible, applications yet to be assessed and projections for new applications to be received during the year. Details regarding the numbers and value of applications under each of the grant measures are awaited. It is a matter for each local authority to decide on the specific level of funding to be directed towards each of the individual schemes, from within the combined allocations from local authority and Exchequer sources, notified to them by my Department, and to manage the operation of the schemes in their areas from within their allocation.
In order to provide for continuity in the processing of applications and the payment of grants under the various measures, local authorities were advised that they could anticipate an allocation for 2010 which would not be substantially below their overall allocation for 2009.
