Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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432. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if Westmeath County Council will be involved in pilot projects to support persons with disabilities moving from institutional care to community based living during 2013; if she will outline the way the sourcing and delivery of units will be managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22346/13]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2011-2016 provides for Government policy in relation to the deinstitutionalisation of people with physical, intellectual and mental health disabilities. The Strategy forms part of a coherent framework, in conjunction with the Government's mental health policy, A Vision for Change and the Report of the HSE Working Group on Congregated Settings, to support people with disabilities within communities with maximum independence and choice. Ring-fenced funding of €1 million is being made available within my Department to support the commencement of the transitioning process and will provide up to 150 new homes in the community for people with disabilities in 2013. The sourcing and delivery of the units, which will be through leasing arrangements, is being managed by the Housing Agency.

To ensure the most effective use of the funding available, a small number of pilot projects are being progressed in 2013 by Cork City Council, Louth County Council, the Limerick Authorities and Dublin City Council. Part of the ring-fenced funding is also available to support deinstitutionalisation projects outside of these pilot areas. The Housing Agency is liaising directly with local authorities, local disability service providers and approved housing bodies to advance projects where people with disabilities are identified as ready to transition to the community in 2013 in line with their person centred plans.