On 16 January 2014, I announced details of the capital allocations under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. The schemes are funded by 80% recoupments available from my Department together with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority.
The allocation to Westmeath County Council under the grant schemes for 2014 is €701,250, of which €140,250 is to be provided from the Council’s own resources. The Council’s 2013 allocation under the grant schemes was €435,722, of which €87,144 was provided from own resources.
The allocation to Longford County Council under the grant schemes for 2014 is €744,467, of which €148,893 is to be provided from the Council’s own resources. The Council’s 2013 allocation under the grant schemes was €687,674, of which €137,535 was provided from own resources.
Through careful management of my Department’s housing budget in 2013 additional funds were made available to local authorities with high levels of grant activity. I will be applying the same scrutiny to the capital budget for 2014 and, in the event of savings arising, these grants will be a priority for supplementary funding.