Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 552: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to provide funding for community housing for a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; his further plans to provide funding for community housing for the intellectually disabled in the Moate and Athlone area of County Westmeath. [23451/07]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Capital funding is available through my Department's Capital Assistance Scheme to approved voluntary housing bodies to provide accommodation to meet special housing needs, such as the elderly, homeless or persons with disabilities. My Department's involvement with the scheme relates primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. The administration of the scheme, and the certification that particular projects comply with the terms of the scheme, are the responsibility of the appropriate local authority.

An application for funding under my Department's Capital Assistance Scheme for 17 units of special needs accommodation, to be provided by Sophia Housing Association at Moate, was received from Westmeath County Council in November, 2005. Additional information was subsequently requested from the council on a number of occasions, and the application will be further considered on receipt of the necessary information.

Further applications for the provision of special needs housing in the areas referred to will be considered in the context of need and the funding available.