A sum totalling €276,433 has been allocated for repairs and improvement works on non-public roads in rural communities in Westmeath, as part of the Government’s ‘Our Rural Future’ project, local Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke has confirmed.
Deputy Burke has welcomed the announcement from the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, of a total allocation of €10.5 million for projects across the country. This represents a five percent increase compared to 2020, with every county, including Westmeath, receiving an increase.
Over €68 million has now been invested under the Local Improvement Scheme since it was re-introduced in 2017.
“This is great news for local communities in Westmeath, as the funding announced under the Local Improvement Scheme will improve access to rural homes and farms, as well as outdoor amenities such as lakes, rivers, mountains and beaches.
“Coming from a farming background, I know how important this scheme is for farmers in particular who would otherwise have to foot the very expensive costs of tarring and maintaining rural lanes and roads. While these roads are owned privately, it is still vital for residents living at the end of such roads and who work on laneways to have access at all times, whether for work, visiting family or critical access such as ambulances.
“Since the scheme was re-introduced in 2017 by my colleague Michael Ring, almost 2,400 roads have been funded for repair works across the country. This has made a real difference to the lives of over 10,000 landowners and residents in rural Ireland. I am hopeful that the scheme can be maintained and increased in coming years so that it can assist more rural residents as I know demand is always high” Deputy Burke asserted.
Disabled Persons Grant Scheme funding
Meanwhile, Deputy Burke, has approved funding of more than €23m million for the Disabled Persons Grant scheme (DPG ) and Improvement Works In Lieu of social housing scheme (IWILs ).
Importantly, every local authority will receive the funds they have requested to carry out works this year in 2021. Under both schemes, exchequer funding meets 90 percent of the cost of the works, with the local authority providing the remaining 10 percent.
The DPG scheme provides funding for extensions and adaptations to existing social housing stock for older people and people with a disability such as grab rails, disabled access ramps, wet rooms and downstairs bedrooms. The scheme also provides extensions in cases of overcrowding.
The Improvement Works in Lieu of social housing scheme (IWILs ) allows local authorities to improve or extend privately owned accommodation, where the applicant has been approved for social housing. It allows those who are otherwise eligible for social housing to remain in private housing and for enhancements to that housing.
Westmeath will receive a total of €891,782 from the Department, with the County Council providing €99,087. This will allow adaptations to all 54 units the Council listed as needing work, with an additional eight properties also set to receive extensions due to overcrowding.
Minister Burke, the Fine Gael public representative who has responsibility for housing for older persons and those with a disability, has said this is very positive news, and has confirmed that he has sanctioned additional funding for the programme this year.
“In my first year allocating these grants, I am delighted to be able to increase the budget and sanction additional funding to all Local Authorities. Each Local authority will now receive the full amount they requested in their programme of works.
“This investment in our social housing stock will improve housing conditions for people with a disability and our older tenants. There is also funding for improvement works on private, which provides options for those currently experiencing overcrowding in private accommodation who are on their Local Authority’s social housing list.
“As a Councillor and a TD, I have seen first-hand the impact of these grants on the quality of life of the many beneficiaries in social and private housing. The grants play a vitally important role in helping people with a disability to continue to live independently and facilitating those who may be living in overcrowded accommodation to get an extension to their property,” he concluded.
