Written answers
Thursday, 21 April 2016
Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
Community Care Provision
Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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142. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government why there has been no funding approval for the community centre facility part of the Drumillard housing project being built by the Castleblayney Care Housing Association, County Monaghan; if he is aware that the delay in approving funding for the facility has meant that eight persons cannot move into the recently constructed group home facility; to make a commitment to fast-tracking approval for the facility before planning permission expires on the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7948/16]
Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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My Department is providing €2.3 million through the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) to Monaghan County Council for the construction by Castleblayney Care Housing Association of 18 units of accommodation at Drumilliard, Castleblayney, County Monaghan, to cater for persons with disabilities. I understand that this project is largely complete and 10 of the 18 units have tenants allocated to them.
A second application has been submitted by the Council for the provision of an additional two units of accommodation on this site, along with a communal facility, by the same approved housing body. A decision on funding for this second proposal will be made following the full completion of the first project, to include the submission of the final account, a post-project review and confirmation from Monaghan County Council that all units provided under the first project are fully tenanted.
My Department has not been made aware that the tenanting of the remaining eight units under the largely complete project is contingent of the construction of a communal facility on the site and that was not part of the project application. More broadly, the provision of communal facilities on a CAS-funded housing scheme is, in general, to improve the occupants’ living conditions and is not intended to be used as a care support facility. Therefore, this should have little or no effect on the occupancy or tenanting of the units. I would strongly encourage the tenanting of the remaining eight units as a matter of urgency, to ensure that persons who are in most need can avail of this newly developed facility.
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