Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the funding allocated for disabled persons grants nationally in 2004; the amount not utilised by local authorities; and the reason therefor. [20502/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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A combined capital allocation of €73 million was made available to local authorities in respect of the disabled persons and essential repairs grant schemes in 2004. The administration of both grant schemes, including the processing of individual applications, is a matter for the local authorities.

Information provided by local authorities indicate that combined expenditure by them on the schemes in 2004 was €55.4 million, that is, €45.8 million on disabled persons grants and €9.6 million on essential repairs grants. The majority of authorities have reviewed their schemes over the past two years with a view to streamlining their operation. The introduction of systems of medical prioritisation as well as standardisation of costs and improved arrangements for the use of occupational therapists has enabled authorities to manage the schemes more efficiently and has allowed them to tackle the backlog of applications which had been allowed to build in a number of areas.

A combined capital allocation of €70 million is available in 2005 for payment of disabled persons and essential repairs grants. Individual allocations were notified to local authorities on 7 June 2005.