Irish Minister for Housing, Urban Renewal & Developing Areas Batt O'Keefe has called for increasing partnership between local authorities and voluntary bodies in addressing the accommodation needs of the vulnerable.

Minister O'Keefe's comments coincided with the laying of the foundation stone of the 53 new apartments for the elderly being developed by the Sue Ryder Foundation in Carlow. The new scheme will provide high support accommodation for the elderly of Carlow Town and the whole county.

Funding is being provided for this project under the Voluntary Housing Capital Assistance Scheme, with a grant in excess of €8.5m approved in respect of the 53 units of accommodation.

"I feel that the cooperation that exists between the Voluntary sector, local authorities and my Department is a vital asset that must be fostered and maintained," Minister O’Keeffe said. "With the support of my Department I am actively encouraging local authorities to be more aware of the asset that voluntary housing bodies can be and I am encouraging more partnerships between local authorities and voluntary bodies. This is clearly reflected in the increasing ambitious targets I have set for the sector," he added.

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Minister O'Keeffe also assured Voluntary bodies that the funding that is allocated through the local authorities under the Capital Loan and Subsidy and Capital Assistance Schemes is ring fenced for Voluntary Housing projects.

The Capital Loan and Subsidy scheme facilitates the provision of Social Housing and the Capital Assistance Scheme facilitates the provision of Special Needs accommodation, by Voluntary bodies in association with local authorities.

With an ageing population and the increasing costs of nursing home accommodation there is a need for additional supported housing for the elderly. The not for profit voluntary housing sector in partnership with local authorities can play an important role in the delivery of care for the elderly, if it is well supported with revenue funding.

To this end there is a provision of €130m under both the Capital Assistance Scheme and Capital Loan Subsidy Scheme, a significant increase on last year’s expenditure of €113m. In 2007, Voluntary Housing bodies under these schemes completed almost 1,700 units, and over 1,400 units are currently in progress around the country.

"By the end of 2008, I expect a further 2,000 dwellings will have commenced. These dwellings could not be provided without the cooperation and drive of voluntary housing bodies," he concluded.

(VB/JM)