Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 453: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the funding options available to an approved voluntary housing body, seeking to adapt a rented unit to meet the needs of a disabled tenant, when the house was provided under the capital loan and rental subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40765/08]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Approved housing bodies are eligible for an annual grant in respect of the operational and maintenance costs associated with accommodation provided under my Department's Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme. In accordance with best practice, approved bodies should provide a sinking fund to deal with operational and maintenance issues, including the undertaking of minor adaptations and refurbishment to meet the needs of tenants.

Approved housing bodies may also apply to the local authority for grant assistance under the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability scheme in respect of necessary adaptations to a dwelling.

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 454: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when local authorities and the Health Service Executive will be allocated the necessary funding to pay the many housing repair schemes which have been sanctioned, completed and grants have not been paid in Galway City Council and Galway County Council; and if he will make a statement on the hand over of this responsibility from the HSEs to the local authorities which has not taken place in Galway because of uncertainty of funding to either body. [40774/08]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability are funded by 80% recoupment available from my Department, together with 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. In May 2008, my Department notified Galway County and City Councils of combined capital allocations of €1,820,130 and €1,049,490 respectively for the operation of these Schemes. It is a matter for each local authority to decide on the specific level of funding to be directed towards each of the Schemes, from within the combined allocation notified to them, and to manage the operation of the Schemes in their area from within this allocation.

On foot of heightened levels of activity experienced locally following the implementation of the revised suite of grant schemes, both Galway County and City Councils each received a supplementary allocation of €300,000 in September 2008.

Notification of individual allocations to local authorities for the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability in 2009 will be made following the publication of the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2009. My Department is in the process of liaising with all local authorities regarding their funding requirements under the schemes in 2009.

The Government decided in February 2006, to transfer the administration of the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme from the HSE to my Department. The Scheme has been funded through a taskforce under the aegis of my Department. Pending the final transfer, the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme was discontinued from 1 August 2008, with applications on hand at that date to be processed by the HSE. My Department provided an initial allocation of €13 million to the HSE earlier this year for the operation of the scheme and I expect to make an additional allocation shortly in respect of the payment of claims on hand. A further allocation, to complete this process, is expected to follow in 2009.

I am conscious of the need to ensure a smooth and seamless transfer of the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme from the HSE to the local authority sector and my Department is engaged on an ongoing basis with the HSE to conclude this process as quickly as possible. Pending full resolution of outstanding issues my Department and the HSE have agreed interim arrangements for action and co-operation at local level as regards the administration of the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme. These arrangements will ensure the best possible outcomes for all applicants under the scheme.