Labour Senator, Mary Moran, has welcomed news that more than one-third of the €32m housing fund announced today by Minister Jan O'Sullivan will go towards assisting people with disabilities.

She said: "I am particularly pleased that the funding announced today includes €12.2 million for the specific purpose of acquiring properties that will help people with disabilities live independently in their communities. The money will ensure the acquisition of 135 housing units which have already been prioritised by local authorities and will be completed by approved housing bodies.

-- Advertisement --

"The remaining proportion of this money, €20m, will be used by local authorities to purchase 131 homes to address housing needs of families who are already on the waiting list. The funding has come about due to Minister O'Sullivan's efficient management of her Department's capital budget and resources, and I want to commend my colleague for her hard work in this regard.

"This funding is important not only because it provides much-needed housing for those most in need in local communities, but because it also supports the local employment of builders and contractors in every county."

(CD/JP)