Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2015
556. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider a matter (details supplied) on the housing aid grant for older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40168/15]
View answerThe Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability is administered by local authorities with funding from my Department. Grant eligible works are generally those carried out to the fabric of a building, such as structural repairs or improvements, re-wiring, repairs to or replacement of windows and doors, sanitary facilities, the provision of heating and other repair or improvement works which are considered reasonably necessary. These works are aimed at facilitating the continued independent occupancy of their homes by older people and people with a disability. The nature and the extent of the works to be undertaken should also be considered by local authorities in their administration of these schemes, with a view to providing for the benefits of the schemes to be available to the greatest possible number of applicants.
Other funding schemes may be available to address problems such as those set out in the details supplied with this question. This may include grant schemes that arise from the Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2013, details of which are available on my Department’s website at: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/Environment/Water/FileDownLoad,33607,en.pdf.
The Home Renovation Incentive Scheme, introduced under Section 5 of the Finance (No. 2) Act 2013, may also apply. The Scheme covers main residence repairs, renovations and improvements and is administered by the Revenue Commissioners; full details of the scheme are available on www.revenue.ie.
In view of the focus of the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes on works generally to the building fabric, and given supports available under other schemes, I do not expect that local authorities would ordinarily approve works to address problems such as those set out in the details supplied with this question.
