Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 128: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the amount allocated for sheltered housing in 2006; if the budgetary allocation of €500,000 to sheltered housing announced in the package for the elderly on 8 December 2005 means an extra €500,000 in addition to the existing budget of €428,000 or simply a €72,000 increase on the 2005 allocation; the sub-head in Estimates 2006 where same is provided for; her views on whether this is an acceptable commitment to sheltered housing services in view of the fact that she says she strongly supports the development of sheltered housing accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39805/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy will be aware the development of sheltered housing accommodation provides a real alternative to residential care and reflects the desire of older people to live with as much independence as possible. The total budgetary allocation in 2006 for sheltered housing is the existing allocation of €428,000 plus the extra funding of €500,000 announced on 8 December, resulting in a total of €928,000 for 2006. An additional €500,000 has also been provided for 2007.

This additional funding will help sheltered housing developments to give a comprehensive service and is a reasonable allocation to meet these objectives. The abridged Book of Estimates was published last month and therefore could not have provided for the announcement on sheltered housing which is part of the €150 million full-year package for older people and palliative care announced on budget day. The Revised Book of Estimates 2006 will provide for this funding.

While this Department is allocating current funding to provide health service supports for sheltered housing schemes, responsibility for sheltered housing falls within the remit of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.