Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We are faced with the inevitable cuts in terms of the amount of money available. That is the reality in which we have to live. I have got a small contingency fund and I am satisfied every local authority has enough funding to meet their commitments made in the previous year. During the second quarter our officials intend to speak to the local authorities about these grants. After that we will have a good idea of how they stand. We will then look to allocate the amount of money left over.

I am anxious to reform this scheme and examine the upper limit allowed in the grant which is quite high. I am examining lowering the upper limit so it can be spread over more applicants. We have already introduced a reform measure for the retrofit scheme. Before the money was for voids up to this year but from this year on there will be retrofitting done on occupied local authority accommodation. I am trying to use moneys as wisely as I possibly can, albeit with a limited amount.

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