Approved Housing Bodies have been invited to a further round of housing plans to provide independent living accommodation for people with special housing needs.

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy TD, said funding is available under the Capital Assistance Scheme and there are already over 130 approved construction projects in the pipeline that are providing over 1,220 social homes for some of the most vulnerable in our society including the elderly, homeless and people with disabilities.

The completion of projects under the Capital Assistance Scheme is ramping up and has recently seen newly built housing provided by Cluid at Broome Lodge in Dublin 7, by Peter McVerry Trust at St. Agatha's Court, Dublin 1, by Respond at Carrickmacross and by the Irish Wheelchair Association at Belmullet, Co Mayo.

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He said: "The invitation for new projects under the Capital Assistance Scheme, to add to what is already in the pipeline, will help to maximise the contribution that Approved Housing Bodies can make to meeting housing needs. We want a pipeline of delivery across all areas of social housing and, in relation to sheltered housing for the most vulnerable in our society, the Approved Housing Bodies have great capacity for delivering high quality supports."

Local Authorities will now issue a 'Call for Proposals' to invite further construction and acquisition proposals from Approved Housing Bodies to meet this important need. The new 'Call for Proposals' under the Capital Assistance Scheme is being made in the context of Rebuilding Ireland, the Government's Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness. €66 million has been set aside to facilitate the delivery of accommodation this year under the Scheme – expenditure under the scheme in 2016 was €37 million.

(CD/LM)