Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 January 2005
216 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there are schemes for persons with a disability to borrow money to build or buy a house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2186/05]
View answer
The primary aim of this Government's housing policy is to enable every household to have an affordable dwelling of good quality, suited to its needs, in a good environment, and, as far as possible, at the tenure of its choice. The general strategy for realising the overall policy aim is that those who can afford to do so should provide housing for themselves, with the aid of the fiscal incentives available, either through home ownership or private rented accommodation and that those unable to do so from their own resources would have access to social housing.
Funding provided by my Department is directed at a diverse range of housing programmes to assist low-income to modest income groups, who cannot access housing on the open market. Particular emphasis has been placed on ensuring that access to affordable housing is made available through a number of targeted schemes. This includes the shared ownership scheme and 1999 affordable housing scheme, and more recently affordable housing through Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2002 and the Sustaining Progress affordable housing initiative. It is a matter for local authorities, in operating the schemes, to determine the ability of applicants to meet the mortgage and rent commitments involved.
If a person or persons believe they are being discriminated against in their mortgage applications because of disability, the matter should be referred to the Equality Authority.
My Department also provides funding for a disabled person's grants scheme, which is administered by local authorities. The scheme is designed to provide a substantial incentive to carry out necessary adaptations or improvements to dwellings to facilitate disabled person's and is not means tested. Typically, the type of work covered by the scheme would be the provision of downstairs accommodation and services for a wheelchair user, or the widening of door openings and lowering of plug points to allow free access to all the facilities in the dwelling. The grant also extends to work necessary for the proper accommodation and treatment of persons suffering from severe mental illness or severe mental handicap.
The effective maximum grant available under the scheme is €20,320 for houses over one year old and €12,700 for houses less than one year old. The maximum recoupment available from the Department in respect of grants paid is €13,546. The portion of the approved cost of works covered by the grant is 90%.
217 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, further to Question No. 358 of 12 October 2004, he has received a request from NaasTown Council in relation to approving special capital funding to purchase a house to meet the special needs of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2189/05]
View answer
My Department received a request from Naas Town Council on 15 October 2004 to purchase a suitable house to meet the special needs of the family in question. In replying to the town council on 9 November 2004 my Department raised no objections to the acquisition of a property appropriate to the family's needs given the exceptional circumstances associated with the case. It is understood that the town council is actively endeavouring to acquire a suitable property for the family.
