Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 November 2021
73. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason for reducing estate regeneration and refurbishment funding in Budget 2022 to €50 million from the €73 million that had been allocated for 2021. [55106/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Regeneration/Remedial subhead A.15, within my Department’s Vote, provides funding for a range of other very important supports in addition to the National Regeneration programme and Remedial Works Programme, namely the Disabled Persons Grant Scheme (DPGs) and Improvement Works in Lieu Scheme (IWILs).
In 2021 the budget available to this subhead is €73 million, of which, €46 million has been allocated to the programmes of Regeneration and €27 million made available for the DPG and IWIL schemes respectively.
Capital funding of €50 million is being provided in 2022 to support the National Regeneration Programme which equates to an increase of €4 million when compared to the €46 million which was budgeted for the programme in 2021.
Reflecting the critical nature of the supports needed with regard to DPGs and IWILs in meeting the needs of some of the most vulnerable sectors of our community, it was agreed, as part of Budget 2022, that the funding for these programmes will no longer be reflected under the Regeneration/Remedial Subhead. Instead, a dedicated and separate funding stream for these supports will be established next year. To that end, I am particularly pleased that my Department has secured capital funding of €25m in 2022 to ensure that we can continue to provide these important programmes which assist local authorities in carrying out the necessary works to cater for the needs of elderly and disabled tenants and families living in overcrowded conditions.
The restructuring of the Regeneration/Remedial works subhead into two distinct funding streams demonstrates an increased commitment in this area.
