Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 138: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reasons a grant was withdrawn from a disability group (details supplied) after it had been paid out, in view of the fact that the group had ordered capital items they had sought grant aid for, on receipt of the original Departmental confirmation of 100% support; if he will review the situation and honour the original allocation as confirmed by his Department on 11 December 2006; his views on the withdrawal of funding from disability groups; if other groups have had funding allocated and then withdrawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7095/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The disability group concerned applied to my Department for funding of €99,945 under the Independent Living Support Programme to purchase and convert for accessible use two Renault Master vehicles. This application was appraised by an independent evaluation committee which recommended that they receive 50% of the funding sought, 90% of which (€44,975) to be paid on agreement of contract and the 10% balance on completion of the contractual commitment.

No funding was withdrawn from the group, or any other group under the Programme. However, an overpayment of €44,975 was made to the group concerned, on discovery of which the Department contacted the applicant requesting the repayment of the excess amount and this was subsequently repaid. While the initial overpayment is regretted, the position is that the applicant is now in receipt of the grant amount as allocated and approved following independent assessment.