Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

493. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which various local authorities have received adequate provision to meet the disabled persons housing adaption grant requirements in the current year; the numbers awaiting approval throughout the various local authorities countrywide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26157/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On 16 January 2014, I announced capital allocations to local authorities amounting to €38.4m under the suite of Grants for Older People and People with a Disability.  The schemes are funded by 80% recoupments available from my Department together with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. I have increased the level of funding available for the grants by 12% in 2014. Every local authority has increased funding for grants compared to their initial allocation for 2013. The detailed administration of these schemes, including the assessment, approval and payment of grants to applicants under the various grant measures, is the responsibility of the relevant local authority.

In January 2014, some changes to the terms and conditions of the grant schemes were notified to local authorities. These changes are intended to spread the benefits of the schemes as widely as possible and to ensure fairness and value for money in their operation. Compared to 2013, when 7,011 households were supported under the schemes, I expect an additional 800 households will benefit under the schemes in 2014. I am aware that the grant measures are heavily subscribed across all local authority areas so it will be important that local authorities prioritise those applications where the most urgent need exists.