Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2009
310 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on reinstating the disabled person’s grant for persons with disabilities with limited access in their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46931/09]
View answerIn order to facilitate the continued independent occupancy of their own homes by older people and people with a disability, and following a review of the old Disabled Persons and Essential Repairs Grant Schemes, a revised suite of Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability was implemented on 1 November 2007. The revised schemes target the available resources to those in most need, streamline operational and administrative procedures and ensure equity and consistency of operation across all local authority areas.
The new Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability replaced the older Disabled Persons Grant Scheme and assists in the provision/adaptation of dwellings to meet the accommodation needs of people with a disability. The maximum grant was increased from €20,320 to €30,000 and may cover up to 95% of the cost of approved works. The Mobility Aids Grant Scheme provides grants of up to €6,000 to cover up to 100% of the cost of a basic suite of works to address mobility problems, primarily but not exclusively, associated with ageing.
At my Department's request, the Centre for Housing Research is currently carrying out an evaluation of the grant schemes in consultation with stakeholders, including the local authorities, representative organisations for older people and persons with a disability, and with a cross-section of grant applicants. The evaluation report will inform any future policy decisions with regard to the scope and operation of the schemes.
