Local Authority Funding.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 February 2010

Thursday, 25 February 2010

Ceisteanna (166)

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

164 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the full extent of funds available to the various local authorities by way of the local loans fund to facilitate applicants for home choice or other local authority loans including those available to facilitate applicants for home choice or other local authority loans including those available under the 1966 Act; when it is expected that funding will be restored to the local authorities for such purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9762/10]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Michael Finneran)

No funding restrictions have been placed on local authority lending for house purchase. Annual allocations to local authorities for house purchase and house improvement lending, totalling almost €43 million, will be notified to local authorities shortly. This represents an increase of €38.6 million, or 90.2%, on the 2009 provisional outturn of almost €4.4 million. It is important to note that the allocations given to local authorities will represent, as in all previous years, borrowings ceilings rather than financial provisions. No set borrowing limit has been put in place for the home choice loan scheme.

Question No. 165 answered with Question No. 24.