Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 420: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason Respond is given the task of prioritising applications on the local authority housing list; if all such applicants have had their status updated and points awarded; the way in which a decision can be reached in the absence of such an update; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13996/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The assessment and prioritisation of housing needs of all applicants for housing is a matter for individual local authorities, to be undertaken in accordance with their schemes of letting priorities. This applies also in respect of housing provided for letting by the voluntary sector. The needs of applicants on waiting lists are regularly reviewed and updated by local authorities.

Housing provided by the voluntary sector is funded by my Department through two separate schemes. The capital assistance scheme addresses the special housing needs of persons such as the elderly, disabled, homeless and elderly returning emigrants. Under the terms of the scheme, assistance is available to approved voluntary housing bodies where 75% of the units to be provided are to be used as full-time residential accommodation for eligible categories of persons on local authority waiting lists. The remainder of the accommodation may be provided to other applicants in need of housing as determined by the approved voluntary housing body. In regard to the capital loan and subsidy scheme, which supports the provision of standard housing accommodation, it is expected that the units would be provided to persons on local authority waiting lists.