Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 733: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of people who have applied for housing aid for older people, mobility aids grants and housing adaption grants in Dublin and outside Dublin; the number whose applications were successful; the amount of money released under the schemes in 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28908/09]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 734: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Question No. 174 of 26 February 2009, if he will provide the 2009 allocations; if additional funds will be provided to deal with the backlog; the number awaiting approval in each area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29264/09]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 733 and 734 together.

My Department's involvement with the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability and the Mobility Aids Grant scheme relates primarily to the recoupment of a proportion of local authority expenditure on the payment of individual grants. These schemes, introduced in November 2007, are funded by 80% recoupment available from my Department, together with 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. In the case of the old Disabled Persons and Essential Repairs grant schemes these are funded by 67% recoupment, together with a 33% contribution from the resources of the local authority. The detailed administration of these schemes, including the assessment and approval of individual applications, is the responsibility of the relevant local authority. Details of the Exchequer funding provided to each Local Authority under the new Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant scheme, the old Disabled Persons and Emergency Repairs grant schemes for 2007 and 2008, and the total allocation for 2009 from Exchequer and local authority sources, are set out in the table which follows this reply. At this stage I do not envisage making further allocations to local authorities in respect of the operation of these schemes in 2009. However, I will review the funding position later in the year, in the event of under spending by local authorities of their allocations for the grant schemes or other allocations under the wider social housing investment programme.