I propose to take Questions Nos. 688 and 699 together.
In the case of privately owned properties, grants are available under my Department’s Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People With a Disability to assist households to have necessary repairs, adaptations or improvement works carried out in order to meet the accommodation needs of an older person or a person with a disability. The suite of grants include three separate grant measures; the Mobility Aids Grant scheme with grants of up to €6,000, the Housing Aid for Older People scheme with grants of up to €10,500 and the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability with grants of up to €30,000, depending on household income. Exchequer allocations for 2012 totalling some €54.2 million were notified to local authorities in February 2012 in respect of these schemes which are ad ministered by the local authorities.
In the case of families living in social rented accommodation, funding is provided by my Department to Local Authorities to have necessary adaptations carried out or extensions provided to meet the needs of tenants or a member of the household with a disability. This year some €6 million was allocated to local authorities for this purpose.
Since 1 January 2001 , all dwellings are required to comply with the standards set out in Part M of the Building Regulations. The Regulations require, inter alia , that adequate provision is made for people with a disability to safely and independently access and use a building, its facilities and environs. Any further necessary works to adapt a house or an apartment to meet the specific needs of a member of the household ma y be carried out with assistance being provided under the grant schemes in appropriate cases.
