Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the history of engagement that his Department has had with a body (details supplied) in County Kildare; the funding provided to date by his Department towards the provision of accommodation by this body; if in allocating the finance, his Department had an understanding of the way the facility in question would be administrated and financed on an ongoing basis; if his Department communicated with the Department of Health or the Health Service Executive in relation to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54721/12]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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My Department’s Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) provides funding to approved housing bodies of up to 100% of the approved costs of accommodation for people with specific categories of housing need, including victims of domestic violence. My Department’s involvement with the CAS relates primarily to the provision of funds for individual projects. The detailed administration of the schemes, the certification that projects comply with the terms and conditions of those schemes, and the processing of applications for funding are the responsibility of the relevant local authority.

My Department has no record of an application for funding from Kildare County Council in respect of a proposed women’s refuge at Newbridge. However, funding of €663,256 was approved under the CAS in respect of the provision of 8 units of accommodation to be provided by Teach Tearmann Housing Association at Coolaghknock in Kildare Town. An additional €30,000 was made available for the provision of communal facilities. My Department was not party to any discussions, involving the local authority, the approved housing body and the HSE in relation to operational costs. It was understood, however, that funding would be available from the HSE to assist in the ongoing running costs of the project.