Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 486: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of funding available for the disabled persons grant; the way in which this funding is allocated; the criteria and process required to obtain this money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12019/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Because the capital allocation to local authorities for disabled persons and essential repairs grants is a combined one, amounting to €70 million in 2005, it is not possible to indicate in advance the funding which will be available for each of these schemes.

In 2004, estimated expenditure for the disabled persons grant scheme was some €45 million. It is a matter for local authorities to decide on the level of funding to be provided for each of the schemes and to administer them from within the combined allocation notified to them.

My Department has asked local authorities to indicate their capital requirements and proposals for the funding of their own one third contribution for these schemes in 2005. On receipt of this information, allocations will be notified by the Department to individual local authorities. The administration of the scheme is a matter for the local authorities within the framework laid down in statutory regulations which, as far as practicable, is designed to give an appropriate degree of flexibility at local level. The basic requirements for obtaining a disabled persons grant are that the work for which it is sought is, in the opinion of the local authority, reasonably necessary for the purpose of rendering a house more suitable for the accommodation of a disabled member of the household and that the terms of the disabled persons grant scheme, as adopted by the local authority, are complied with by the applicant.