Vol. 515 No. 1
191 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will introduce new rules in respect of the grant towards the accommodation of a person with a disability which would allow a person constructing a new home to be able to build in features adapted to their needs and who qualify for a financial contribution towards the additional outlays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5563/00]
The disabled persons grant scheme provides assistance to disabled people to carry out necessary adaptation works to their existing accommodation.
In addition, my Department provides assistance under the new house grants scheme to persons providing specifically designed new housing to suit the needs of a disabled person. In such cases, the normal requirement that an applicant should be a first-time purchaser and the limitation on floor area may be waived to allow a £3,000 new house grant to be paid. Disabled persons grants are not paid in respect of new houses in view of the fact that it is less costly to provide facilities for a disabled person in a new house than in adapting an existing house. In addition, when purchasing a new house to accommodate a disabled person the purchaser is better placed to choose a house which meets their needs without the need for extensive adaptation.
The position regarding grant assistance to meet the accommodation needs of disabled people will be kept under review by my Department.
