COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, February 09, 2009

QUESTION NO. 4

QUESTION: Councillor S. Crowe

To ask the Manager can he give an update on the scheme he hopes to introduce to facilitate senior citizens moving from private to Council sheltered accomodation, numbers so far identified, when will be the earliest date that  he  proposes to introduce the scheme, and if he needs the Department of Environment approval for its introduction?

REPLY:

The  Council's Scheme of Letting Priorities, which was adopted by the Elected Members and approved by the Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal in December 2006 provided for the introduction of a Financial Contribution Scheme  whereby older persons who are private home owners and who are over-accommodated in their existing home,  may apply to South Dublin County council for designated senior citizen accommodation, subject to the payment of a financial contribution to the Local Authority.

To date, just thirty (30) expressions of interest in this scheme have been received from residents throughout the County.

While a draft scheme has been prepared, it is considered that the scheme is premature insofar as SDCC currently does not have available to it the type of supported accommodation that is required in keeping with the spirit of the scheme.  It is anticipated that a final draft of the scheme will presented to the May meeting of the Housing SPC.  Ministerial sanction is not required for the scheme.