Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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18. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider releasing funding for extensions and home improvements to local authorities as a way of easing the pressure on the housing waiting lists, as many persons living in overcrowded conditions would then be able to stay in their current homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9072/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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My Department provides funding to local authorities for various social housing supports, including for adaptations and extensions to the social housing stock to meet needs of local authority tenants with a disability or to address serious overcrowding. Funding provided by my Department meets 90% of the cost of such works, with each local authority providing the remaining 10%. My Department is currently liaising with all local authorities in relation to requirements for 2015 in this area. The administration of this funding locally is a matter for each local authority, including decisions in relation to the projects to be implemented.

In addition to the provision of social housing units and the improvement and upkeep of social housing stock, the Social Housing Strategyalso recognises the value of providing targeted support towards some non-social housing situations. In this regard, my Department provides funding under the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability. The suite of grants under these Schemes provide significant social benefit in terms of facilitating the continued independent occupancy of their own homes by older people and people with a disability.

Exchequer funding of over €37million was provided in 2014 for these grants. Combined with the local authority’s contribution, this gave an overall spend of €46.3m. At national level, the 2015 amount will increase by some 10% to give a combined spend of €50.5 million. Again, the administration of the grants is a matter for individual local authorities.