Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 1847: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason a successful pilot scheme (details supplied) in County Tipperary will not be continued and sufficiently resourced into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1637/07]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Housing Management Initiative Grant Scheme provides financial assistance for new and innovative pilot or pathfinding projects in the area of housing management. Thurles Town Council had received funding in 3 previous years for the piloting of the position of Tenant Liaison Officer and accordingly, was no longer considered eligible for pilot project funding under the scheme. In approving a grant under the 2005 scheme, the Town Council was informed that the approval did not include any commitment by my Department to any future funding beyond the allocation made in 2005.

The management of its social housing stock is the responsibility of each individual local authority. It is now a matter for Thurles Town Council to evaluate the experience of the project undertaken to date (as required under the terms of the scheme) and to consider whether it proposes to continue the position of tenant liaison officer. The purpose of the scheme is to encourage local authorities to develop housing management approaches and mainstream these where considered appropriate.