David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 679: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, further to Parliamentary Question No. 165 of 9 November 2005, the way in which the funding, with special reference to the extra funding, which his Department received for people with disabilities as published in the expenditure Estimates in November 2004 and subsequently on budget day 2004 has been used or will be used; the way in which this funding has been disbursed; the mechanisms in place to ensure that the funding is spent correctly; if he has satisfied himself that auditing procedures are in place and are adequate in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34458/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the national disability strategy, my Department was allocated €5 million for current expenditure and €10 million for capital expenditure during 2005 to assist in the delivery of services under the Disability Act 2005 by the Department, local authorities and the other public bodies under the aegis of the Department. A further €40 million in capital expenditure is being made available in the 2006 to 2009 period.

The current expenditure is focused on the provision of staff disability awareness training, preparation of access audits, drawing up implementation plans, improved access to information systems, access to public services, library equipment and assistive technology.

The capital expenditure is aimed at improving the physical access to buildings and services such as provision of ramps, doorways, lifts, counters, loop systems and signage. Access improvements to roads, car parks, footpaths, public toilets, beaches, amenity areas, graveyards and other public services are among other projects being carried out.

In addition, under the disabled person's grants scheme which is administered by the local authorities, assistance is provided to adapt, extend, or provide additional facilities in a house to render it more suitable for the needs of a disabled person; the facilities may include the provision of a ramp or other such facility to allow ease of access for the disabled member of the household.

I am satisfied that the normal accounting and auditing protocols already in place are adequate to ensure all such allocations are expended for the purposes intended.