Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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138. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when he will provide money previously promised for the community centre facility as part of phase 2 of works at a project (details supplied). [17415/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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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. This is made up of 10 two bed units and an 8 unit group home.

I understand that this project is largely complete and 10 of the 18 units have tenants allocated to them; however, the 8 unit group home remains to be tenanted. I would strongly encourage the tenanting of the remaining 8 units as a matter of urgency, to ensure that persons who are in most need can avail of this newly developed facility.

A further application has been submitted by Monaghan County Council on behalf of Castleblaney Care Housing Association for the provision of an additional two units of accommodation on this site, along with a communal facility.

It is important that all housing bodies wishing to access public funding from my Department engage with the Department and with the interim Regulator for approved housing bodies, to ensure effective governance and financial management oversight of the housing provider. Following contact between my Department and Castleblaney Care Housing Association about their Approved Housing Body status under Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provision) Act 1992, this status was rescinded. However, contact is continuing with the Association to advise them on the actions they must take to regularise their approved housing body status.

A decision on funding for the second CAS proposal can be made following a review of Castleblaney Care Housing Association’s status and 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 the units are tenanted.