John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1507: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the operation of the national disabled persons housing and essential repairs grant scheme as it applies to owner occupiers who are in receipt of a disability pension and are the main breadwinners in their households will be reviewed; his views on the fact that for such applicants there can be severe difficulty in funding the 10% gap between the grant allocated and the cost of improvements; his further views on increasing the grant available in such circumstances to cover 100% of the costs of improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2342/06]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1508: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of funding under the national disabled persons housing and essential repairs grant scheme that was returned unspent to his Department by each city and county council in the years 2004 and 2005; his views on whether this under-spending is likely to be due to owner occupiers who are in receipt of a disability pension, and who are the main breadwinners in their households, being unable to fund the 10% gap between the grant allocated and the cost of improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2343/06]

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1512: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of funding allocated to the disabled persons and essential repairs grant scheme in 2005 to each local authority; the amount spent by each; and the position regarding funds which remained unspent at 31 December 2005. [2402/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1507, 1508 and 1512 together.

The disabled persons and essential repairs grant schemes are intended, like a number of other housing grant schemes operated by my Department, to assist works which provide additional or adapted accommodation in private houses. However, they are not designed to cover the full cost of works for all applicants. Local authorities may provide reconstruction loans to qualified applicants who have difficulty in obtaining finance to meet the balance of the cost. The focusing of the scheme on real needs, both financial and accommodation-related and its operation by local authorities in an efficient manner, will be critical in ensuring that it achieves its aim. The outcome of the review of the operation of the scheme which is at present being finalised in my Department will significantly contribute to this achievement.

One of the primary aims of the review has been to ensure that the available resources are targeted to those in most need of such assistance. The needs of applicants with limited means, including those dependent on social welfare benefits, have been considered in this light.

A combined capital allocation of €73 million was made available to local authorities for the disabled persons and essential repairs grant schemes in 2004. Information provided by local authorities indicate that combined expenditure by them on the schemes in 2004 was €55.4 million — €45.8 million on disabled person's grants and €9.6 million on essential repairs grants. Data are not yet available on the overall expenditure by local authorities on the disabled person's and essential repairs grants schemes for 2005. An overall allocation of €74.5 million was made available for the disabled person's and essential repairs grants schemes in 2005. Data on expenditure on the schemes will be published in the Annual Housing Statistic Bulletin 2005 in due course.

The following tabular statement gives details of the combined capital allocation for disabled person's and essential repairs grants notified to each local authority in 2004 and 2005 and the combined expenditure on the schemes in 2004 by each local authority.