Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the level of funding which has been administered by the Health Service Executive through his Department for the capital assistance scheme for each of the past five years; and the reason for reductions in funding. [25110/09]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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Under my Department's Capital Assistance scheme, funding of up to 100% of the approved cost is provided, through the local authorities, to approved housing bodies for the provision of accommodation for groups with special housing needs including the elderly, the homeless and persons with an intellectual or physical disability. Details of the capital funding provided under the scheme for the past five years are set out in the following table:

Approved housing bodies that provide sheltered housing under the scheme normally provide on-site support for tenants where necessary. However, where a higher level of support is needed, this may be done with assistance from the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE introduced a scheme of dedicated funding for sheltered housing in 2006, with funding of €0.5 million provided. A further €0.5 million was provided in 2007, increasing to €1.1 million in 2008. It is a matter for the HSE to agree the level of funding for 2009.