Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 182: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding a housing facility (details supplied) in County Leitrim; if there will be funding from the Health Service Executive to maintain 12 beds at this facility or will this project be social housing with no residents being funded by the HSE. [19267/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Capital funding is available through my Department's Capital Assistance Scheme to approved voluntary housing bodies for the provision of accommodation to meet the needs of persons with specific categories of housing need such as older people, the homeless or persons with a physical, intellectual or mental health disability. The scheme is not intended to fund nursing home or similar accommodation where residents would require high-level medical, nursing or institutional type care.

In the case of the sheltered housing scheme referred to in the question, my Department provided some €2.8 million towards the cost of the project. I understand that the Health Service Executive (HSE) provided an element of matching funding towards the cost of the communal facilities. The HSE is also providing a care and support package in respect of a number of tenants. The nature and scope of the care element is a matter for the HSE and the voluntary housing body to determine.

The voluntary housing body is responsible for the management and operation of the facility in accordance with the terms and conditions of the funding schemes. My Department's involvement with the scheme relates primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. The administration of the scheme, and the certification that particular projects comply with the terms of the scheme, are the responsibility of the local authority.