Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 275: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the conditions under which building sites are allocated to Respond; the cost to the taxpayer and the price paid by Respond; the conditions under which capital funding is provided for the construction of housing units; the extent to which the public sector has control over the enterprise thereafter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12724/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the low-cost sites scheme local authorities can provide sites to approved voluntary, co-operative and other non-profit housing groups to construct houses. The level of low-cost site subsidy provided by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to a local authority under the low-cost site scheme varies from location to location depending on factors including the acquisition and development costs of the sites. The price at which the local authority intends to sell such sites to voluntary groups is a matter to be determined by individual local authorities.

Capital funding is available to approved voluntary housing bodies through two separate funding schemes, the capital assistance scheme which addresses the special housing needs of persons such as the elderly, disabled, homeless and elderly returning emigrants and the capital loan and subsidy scheme which provides housing for families in need. The Department's involvement relates primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. The administration of the schemes and the certification that particular projects comply with the terms of the schemes are the responsibility of the appropriate local authority, which also ensures continuing compliance with the conditions of the schemes on an ongoing basis in each project within its area.