Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 1408: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will confirm receipt of a request for additional funding from Westmeath County Council (details supplied); if he will ensure that the additional €1 million required is given to the council without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31168/08]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 1464: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will confirm having received a request for additional funding from Westmeath County Council in respect of disabled persons grants and essential repairs grants and also in respect of the new housing grant schemes, whereby a shortfall has been clearly identified in relation to the older schemes and commitments at the end of June 2008, represent almost 100% of the allocation under the new grant schemes, and in order for these schemes which are heavily demand led, can be allowed to continue to provide essential upgradings and refurbishments for elderly people and people with mobility issues; and if he will ensure that the additional €1 million required is given to the council without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30340/08]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1408 and 1464 together.

I can confirm that my Department has received a request for a supplementary allocation from Westmeath County Council in respect of the Disabled Persons and Essential Repairs Grant Schemes and the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Schemes.

As previously indicated to local authorities, requests for additional funding under the Housing Adaptation Grants Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability are dealt with in the context of the reallocation of any surplus resources arising elsewhere. In this context, my Department has advised all local authorities to monitor their expenditure under the Schemes carefully. A number of the authorities faced with particularly significant levels of demand under the schemes so far this year received notification recently of supplementary allocations. While Westmeath County Council was not among those authorities, the issue of an additional allocation to the Council will be considered in the event of further funding becoming available.