Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020
1269. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated cost of doubling funding for housing adaption grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4668/20]
View answerIn 2020, total funding of €73.75 million is available for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme, in respect of private houses. This is made up of €59 million Exchequer funding, which is an increase of some 3.5% on the 2019 provision, with the balance of €14.75 million being contributed by the local authorities. Increasing funding by 100% would cost an additional €59 million to the Exchequer, with a further €14.75 million to be contributed by the local authorities.
I am conscious of the benefit accruing from these grants, particularly in terms of facilitating older people and people with a disability, to remain living independently in their own homes. Funding has been increasing year on year for these grants since 2014. As part of the annual budgetary process, consideration will be given in future years to increasing the funding in line with both Rebuilding Ireland and the Government's Housing Options for Our Ageing Population - Policy Statement, which is available on my Department's website at the following link:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/housingoptionsforanageingpopulationeng_web.pdf .
