Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
517. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications that were received for a social housing adaptation grant for older people and people with a disability to Kildare County Council for 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; the number of these grants that have been granted; the number that were refused; the number that are pending a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29946/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding to local authorities under the Disabled Persons Grants scheme to carry out works on local authority owned social housing stock to address the needs of older people, people with a disability or relieve overcrowding. The detailed administration of this scheme including assessment, approval and prioritisation of applications is the responsibility of local authorities.
My Department's approach every year is to issue a single full year allocation to each local authority, so they can plan, prioritise and implement the programme to carry out the varying works necessary to meet the needs of their tenants. The programme is 90% funded by the Department with a 10% contribution from the Local Authority.
The allocation and drawdown of funding for each local authority for the period 2011-2021 for the Disabled Persons Grant, which incorporates Improvement Works in Lieu, is available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/061cd-disabled-persons-grant-and-improved-works-in-lieu-schemes-allocation-and-drawdown/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c472d-disabled-persons-grant-and-improved-works-in-lieu-schemes-allocation-and-drawdown-2011-2020/.
Exchequer funding to the value of €23.6 million has been allocated for the 2022 schemes. Kildare County Council's allocation this year under this programme is €966,159.
The local authority has responsibility for the administration of the Disabled Persons Grant scheme. My Department retains data on applications which are Exchequer funded but does not gather information in relation to the number of applications made to local authorities or the numbers subsequently granted, refused or pending a decision. This information should be available from the relevant Local Authority.
Work in relation to the 2022 programme is underway but it will be later this year before significant recoupment claims are lodged with my Department. Full details in relation to the 2022 output will be available early in 2023.
