Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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867. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if the additional €10 million in housing funding for persons with a disability can be used towards the retrofit of the homes of persons with a disability under the housing adaptation grant scheme; if extra funding will be made available for this scheme in South Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37013/13]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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In June 2013 my Department invited each City and County Council to submit proposals under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) for the purchase of built properties which would facilitate people with a disability to live independently within communities. Approvals were based on the priority afforded to the proposals by the Council . I subsequently announced a funding programme of over €12 million for the acquisition of some 135 units under CAS, including a proposal submitted by South Tipperary County Council for the provision of 5 units of accommodation in Cahir for people with a disability.

My Department also provided capital funding of over €2.4 million to housing authorities for the provision of necessary adaptations or extensions to local authority properties to meet the needs of tenants with a disability. It is a matter for each local authority to decide on applications and the specific level of funding to be directed to each of these measures out of the allocations provided.

Separately, some €45.6 million is being provided to local authorities under the suite of Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. In the case of South Tipperary County Council, the initial allocation for the grant schemes in 2013 was €1,087,989. Two subsequent supplementary allocations in April and July brought the overall allocation to €1,321,578. I am keeping the funding position on these schemes under active review.