David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of money transferred to his Department's Vote from the Department of Social and Family Affairs for the operation of the rental accommodation scheme each year; the amount his Department expects to receive in future years; the amount of this allocation which has been spent to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36723/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) is a collaborative project between the Department, the Department of Social and Family Affairs, local authorities and the Health Service Executive Community Welfare Division. In order to finance the funding of the transfer of households in the SWA rent supplement scheme with long-term housing needs to RAS, €19 million was provided to this Department's Vote in 2005, and again in 2006, from the Vote of the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

The level of funding transferred to the Department in future years will depend on progress in implementing the scheme. Specific details in relation to funding RAS in 2007, including commitments under Towards 2016, will be published as part of the Revised Estimates for the Public Service early in 2007. The total amount spent to date on the RAS initiative is of the order of €4.122 million.