Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 910: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way in which the money allocated for housing for the disabled from dormant accounts will be allocated; if local authorities and voluntary organisations may apply for these funds; if disabled persons in need of housing may apply directly for funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1085/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Disbursements from the dormant accounts fund are designed to assist three broad categories of persons; those who are socially or economically disadvantaged, those who are educationally disadvantaged and persons with a disability.

The Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Act 2005 provided for significant changes in relation to the disbursement of funds from dormant accounts. Under this new legislation, the Minister is required to consult with appropriate Ministers for the purpose of developing a proposal for submission to Government for approval. This proposal will include the programmes and types of projects in relation to which applications for disbursements will be invited, as well as the criteria to be applied in assessing applications made in response to the invitation.

After consulting with the appropriate Ministers and having obtained the approval of Government, I announced details on 4 January 2006 concerning the allocation of €24 million in 2006 for the purpose of supporting programmes and types of projects tackling social and economic disadvantage. Details of the announcement are available on the website of my Department at www.pobail.ie.

With regard to the other two categories, educational disadvantage and persons with a disability, the consultation process required under the legislation is not yet completed. It is anticipated that further announcements will be made shortly in relation to proposals under these headings when work ongoing in both the Departments of Education and Science and Health and Children is completed and specific measures are submitted to Government for consideration.