Over €5k has been allocated to an Ennis-based housing organisation by the Local Government Minister.

Inis Housing Association Limited is one of 21 voluntary and cooperative housing organisations to receive grants totalling more than €1.8m.

Today's funding announcement was made by Housing Minister Michael Finneran at the launch of Thresholds 2007 Annual Report.

Welcoming the news, Clare TD Tony Killeen said that the 2008 allocations would help cover the administrative and general expenses of organisations that provide information, research or representative services in the housing area.

Mr Killeen said the funding would also assist the various bodies in the delivery of their housing objectives.

He explained that the voluntary and co-operative housing sector was a valued partner in the provision of accommodation for low-income families and people with special housing needs including the elderly, the homeless and persons with a physical or intellectual disability.

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"As set out in the Partnership Agreement - Towards 2016 - the Government are committed to supporting the provision, by approved housing bodies, of 6,000 units of accommodation over the period 2007-2009.

"Organisations such as Inis Housing Association Limited play their part, in one way or another, in the development of the voluntary and cooperative housing sector," said Mr Killeen.

Under the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Voluntary Housing Capital Funding Schemes, approved voluntary housing organisations provide accommodation for renting to certain categories of tenants, such as homeless persons, elderly persons, persons with disabilities and families on the housing authority waiting list.

In 2007 1,600 units of accommodation were provided by the voluntary and co-operative sector, bringing the total number of units provided for the period 2003 to 2007 to 6,182. There are currently over 19,360 units of accommodation being managed by approved bodies.

Mr Killeen added: "The allocations announced this week will greatly assist the voluntary and co-operative bodies in putting in place the necessary resources and structures to plan and implement a robust programme to deliver on needs."

(PR)