Capital Assistance Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 February 2017

Wednesday, 15 February 2017

Ceisteanna (153)

Declan Breathnach

Ceist:

153. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if €86 million was allocated to capital assistance scheme projects in 2016; the amount of this allocation that was actually spent on CAS projects; if all CAS applications received were considered for funding; the areas to which the balance of the allocation for CAS projects not used for CAS projects went; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7464/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

Funding availability under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) for 2016 was €86m. Despite there being a substantial pipeline of project approvals in place under the Scheme, progress in 2016 was slower than expected and the final funding drawdown for the year was €37m. CAS applications in 2016 were received up to the end of the year and all are being considered for funding. It is normal that CAS applications received in one year might be funded in a subsequent year or, where construction activity is involved, across a couple of years.

Funding not drawn down under CAS in 2016 was reallocated to other social housing delivery programmes delivered by local authorities and by AHBs. My Department will be continuing to fund CAS in 2017 and I am keen to see as much progress as possible in delivering social housing under the Scheme.