Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2014
636. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the changes in eligibility requirements for the elderly and disabled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14033/14]
View answerThe changes to the terms and conditions governing the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability were made on foot of the report of a review group, established last year by my Department to examine the operation of the schemes. Membership of the group included members of the County and City Managers’ Association (CCMA), the Housing Practitioner Network, Local Authority housing personnel and officials from my Department. Consultations were held with organisations working with older people and people with a disability, including the Irish Wheelchair Association, ALONE, HSE, Ataxia Ireland, the Irish Society for Autism and the National Disability Authority. The aim of the review was to spread the benefits of the schemes as widely as possible and to ensure fairness and value for money in their operation.
There has been no change to the maximum grant available under the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, which remains at €30,000, or the Mobility Aids Grant, which remains at €6,000. In the case of the Housing Aid for Older People, the maximum grant has been reduced from €10,500 to €8,000. It should be noted that the average grant paid under this scheme in 2011, 2012 and 2013 was €4,162, €4,106 and €3,995, respectively, well below the maximum available. The age limit for eligibility has been increased from 60 to 66 years; however, a lower age limit may apply at the discretion of the local authority in certain cases.
Changes have also been made with regard to the assessment of means of applicants. To bring it into line with the means assessment for applicants for social housing, all household members’ income, with certain exceptions, will be included in the assessment of means. The level of income beyond which no grant is payable has been reduced from €65,000 to €60,000. In the case of an applicant where a household member is aged under 65 there is no impact on grant eligibility. However, where appropriate, their income will be taken into account in assessing household income.
I have increased the level of funding available for the grant schemes by 12% to €38.4 million in 2014. Every local authority has been allocated increased funding for grants compared to the initial allocation in 2013. The detailed administration of these schemes, including the assessment, approval and payment of grants to applicants under the various grant measures, is the responsibility of the relevant local authority.
