Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this very important matter. He will understand that I cannot speak about specific cases, but I am disappointed to hear about the circumstances of the case he has highlighted because under the social housing investment programme, my Department allocates funding to support local authorities in undertaking adaptations and extensions to their social housing stock to meet the needs of tenants with a disability or address serious overcrowding issues. This is over and above the funding my Department provides for local authorities under the separate schemes of grants for older people and people with a disability, under which private homeowners can avail of grant assistance towards the cost of adaptations. The support from my Department for local authorities in undertaking adaptations for social housing tenants meets 90% of the cost, with local authorities providing the remaining 10%.

These adaptations, or the provision of extensions, are important to meet the needs of local authority tenants with a disability who may require chair lifts or the installation of a downstairs bedroom or bathroom. Extensions or adaptations are only considered where an alternative property is not available through a casual vacancy in the locality. For example, local authorities can meet particular needs by reserving a four-bedroom house for a larger family. However, in many cases, there may be no option but to adapt or extend an existing dwelling.The implementation of works under these programmes is a matter for the local authorities. It is for them to determine, in the first instance, if the works are needed to make the accommodation more suitable for the tenant, as well as to prioritise the use of available resources for who need them most.

In recent years a concerted effort has been made to protect expenditure on extensions and adaptations to local authority homes. In 2012 funding nationally in this area was €8.7 million; it was €6 million in 2013 but €8 million in 2014. The Department has written to each local authority asking for its proposals under this scheme for 2015. On receipt of this information from all local authorities, funding will be allocated to each one. I am keen that this year we allocate funding earlier in the calendar year to allow local authorities to get work on adaptations and extensions under way, as well as to allow more flexibility in drawing down the funding from the Department. I hope to ensure funding for these supports for local authorities in 2015 is maintained at the same level as last year. If the opportunity arises to allocate more over the year, I will examine the matter.

Increasing funding in one area of social housing spend, however, usually impacts on the spend in other important areas, whether it be new social housing provision, important regeneration programmes or adaptations and improvements for private householders. Notwithstanding these competing pressures, the Government will continue to channel this important funding to local authorities. Making the allocations earlier in the year will mean that local authorities will be able to deliver these supports to their tenants in a timely manner and, I hope, improve their quality of life.