Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 September 2011
341 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number and location of voluntary housing associations that have not drawn down the annual maintenance grant; if known, the reason the grants have not been drawn down; the checks and balances in place to ensure such associations are in compliance with the terms of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24612/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's involvement with voluntary and co-operative housing schemes relates primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. The detailed administration of the schemes, and the certification that projects comply with the terms and conditions of the funding schemes, are the responsibility of the relevant local authority.
Under the terms of the Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme, which provides funding for standard family-type accommodation, management and maintenance costs are met from the rental income generated by the project as well as an annual management and maintenance allowance of up to €543 which is paid by the local authority to approved housing bodies in respect of each dwelling funded under the scheme. It is a requirement of the scheme that the dwelling is occupied by tenants drawn from the local authority housing list and it is a matter for the relevant authority to ensure compliance with all of the conditions pertaining to payment of the allowance. Expenditure on the payment of management and maintenance allowances to approved housing bodies is recouped to local authorities by my Department on receipt of the appropriate claims. All matters relating to the receipt, examination and payment of payment claims are dealt with locally. Information relating to approved housing bodies who have not drawn the allowance from the housing authority is not available in my Department.
