Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:596. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the capital allocation for 2018 for schemes (details supplied) in tabular form. [26670/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 19 June 2018
Ceisteanna (596)
Freagraí scríofa
Under the Disabled Persons Grants Scheme (DPG's), my Department provides funding to local authorities for adaptations and extensions to the existing social housing stock to meet the needs of local authority tenants. The scheme applies to adaptations that are necessary to address the needs of older people or people with a disability who may require stair-lifts; grab-rails; showers; wet-rooms and ramps etc. It also provides funding for extensions such as the installation of a downstairs bedroom or bathroom.
The scheme is demand-led and allows local authorities to prioritise works based on need. Exchequer funding meets 90% of the cost of such works, with the local authority providing the remaining 10%.
The scheme also provides funding for Improvement Works in Lieu of Social Housing (IWIL’s) in order to improve or extend privately owned accommodation where the applicant is already approved for social housing. This allows people to remain in private housing while their housing need is met without increasing the strain on current social housing stock and also reduces the numbers of persons who might otherwise find themselves homeless.
In order to ensure that there were no delays for priority and urgent cases, all local authorities were advised that they may undertake works of up to 65% of their 2017 allocation in advance of the notification of their 2018 allocation. This allowed them to plan and progress works under the scheme and allows for the full utilisation of the 2018 allocation throughout the year.
Local authorities have submitted to my Department details of their work proposals and related funding requirements for this scheme in 2018. These proposals have now been evaluated and funding allocations will be confirmed to the local authorities shortly.