Housing Adaptation Grant Eligibility

Wednesday, 27 September 2017

Questions (213)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

213. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason incomes are taken into account for persons (details supplied) who have applied for the housing adaptation grant for persons with a disability. [40936/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

For the purposes of the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, household income is calculated as the annual gross income of the registered property owner together with all household members over 18 (or over 23 if in full-time education) in the previous tax year.

Certain income is not taken into account, or is disregarded, in calculating household income, including €5,000 for each member of the household up to 18 years, Family Income Supplement, Domiciliary Care Allowance and Carer's Benefit or Carer's Allowance if paid in respect of the person to whom the grant application relates.

The application of a household means test is intended as a way of spreading the benefits of these grant schemes as widely as possible and to ensure fairness and value for money in their operation. The schemes are therefore more sharply focused towards those with greatest needs.