Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 6

Written Answers. - Grant Aid.

Jack Wall

Question:

312 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that applicants for the disabled person's grant as operated by the local authorities have in many cases to meet costs of up to £350 (details supplied) before the grant can be passed; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that in many cases these costs are prohibitive to the person seeking the grant; if he will provide the funding to the local authorities to ensure that applicants can overcome this burden; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23588/99]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy):

I increased the effective maximum grant payable under the disabled persons grant scheme by 50 per cent from £8,000 to £12,000 in the case of works commenced on or after 2 December 1998. In addition, the maximum grant payable in respect of private houses was increased to three-quarters of the approved cost of the works compared to two-thirds previously, subject to the overall maximum grant of £12,000. In the case of local authority rented houses the maximum grant payable covers the full cost of the approved works.

It is necessary for local authorities to assess applications to establish, in advance of approving funding, whether a particular applicant qualifies for assistance under the scheme and the amount of funding which can be approved. Any necessary costs incurred at that stage, if approved as part of the cost of the works, are eligible for grant assistance of up to 75 per cent.

In cases where an applicant faces a difficulty in meeting their portion of the total cost of the works involved, local authorities may assist through the provision of a house improvement loan.