Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 473: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the proposals he has to provide sufficient funding to meet the demand of Waterford County Council under the HOP, HGD and MAG schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16401/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Earlier this year my Department asked local authorities to indicate their capital requirements and proposals for the funding of their own 20% contribution for the operation, in 2008, of the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability Scheme, the Mobility Aids Scheme and the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme. The combined capital allocation to local authorities represents not a capital grant, but the total amount which authorities are authorised to spend on the Schemes in the year in which the allocation is made. Initial requests for funding for local authorities, on which allocations are based, represent the authorities' best estimate of the likely level of grant approvals during the year. However, some grant approvals may not subsequently be taken up by applicants. In addition, if there are delays in completing the approved works, either due to a delay in getting a contractor or for other reasons, the ultimate spend may arise in later years. My Department requests that each local authority examines the level of payments and approvals on schemes through the year with a view to establishing the adequacy or otherwise of their allocations. Requests for increases from authorities whose allocations are proving inadequate will be dealt with in the context of any available funding from other authorities whose allocation may turn out, for a range of reasons, to be surplus to their requirements. I expect to be in a position to notify local authorities of their capital allocations for the operation of the Schemes in 2008 shortly.

Question No. 474 answered with Question No. 459.