Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 345: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether there is an urgent and growing need for sheltered housing in Enniscorthy, County Wexford; his plans for providing a higher level of capital funding for sheltered housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39505/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Local authorities have responsibility for the assessment of housing need within their areas and the development of individual projects at local level to respond to these. All local authorities have developed five year action plans covering the full range of social and affordable housing interventions across the range of needs. My Department has approved these plans for all authorities and these will be subject to review in 2006.

Funding is available for sheltered housing in this context, particularly under the voluntary housing capital assistance scheme, CAS. The administration of that scheme and the certification that particular projects comply with its terms are the responsibility of local authorities, in this particular case Wexford County Council. My Department will give early consideration to the funding of any such proposals for sheltered accommodation in Enniscorthy.

The level of assistance available to approved housing bodies has been subject to review and it is my intention to increase the cost limits applying to CAS projects.