1684. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he will provide increased and ring-fenced funding to local authorities for housing adaptations required by social housing tenants on medical grounds; whether he is aware that Dublin City Council and a number of other local authorities currently have insufficient funding to undertake major adaptation works or extensions, leaving tenants in accommodation that is undignified and unsuitable for their medical needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59580/26]

1685. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he will provide Dublin City Council with the funding required to carry out urgent and necessary adaptation works to the home of a child (details supplied); whether he is aware that the requested adaptations have not proceeded due to a lack of available funding and that there is no realistic prospect of an appropriate housing transfer within a reasonable timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59582/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1684 and 1685 together.

My Department provides funding to local authorities under the Disabled Persons Grants scheme to carry out works on social housing stock to address the needs of older people, people with a disability or overcrowded situations. Typical works include adaptations such as stair-lifts, level deck showers, ramps and grab rails, widening door opening widths and improving circulation spaces. Extensions to provide for ground floor bathrooms and bedrooms can also be supported.

The detailed administration of this scheme including assessment, approval and prioritisation of applications is the responsibility of local authorities.

My Department's approach every year, in the first instance, is to allow local authorities complete works up to 65% of the previous year’s allocation in the absence of formal approval to keep this important work going. Thereafter, and based on the actual needs of the sector, my Department issues a single full year allocation which allows local authorities plan, prioritise and implement the programme to carry out the works necessary to meet the needs of their tenants in the year in question.

Additional funding may be available on request to support emergency situations that may occur throughout the year. The programme is 90% funded by the Department with a 10% contribution from the local authority.

Furthermore, my Department is currently reviewing local authority requirements under the programme. As indicated by Dublin City Council, updated funding requirements are expected to be submitted presently as part of this review and will be considered as part of that process. While there are no plans at present to introduce a separate ring-fenced funding stream, additional funding may be provided where justified by identified need and my Department will make every effort to accede to such requests.