I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 56 together.
My Department provides funding every year for the Disabled Persons Grant (DPG) scheme and the Housing Adaptations Grant for Older People and People with a Disability scheme. While both schemes are administered directly by the local authorities they operate independently with separate funding streams, the main differences being the type of properties eligible for funding and the level of local authority contribution. DPG funding is provided for adaptations and extensions to existing social housing stock to meet specific needs of the local authority tenants with a 10% contribution required from the local authority, while the Housing Adaptation Grants address specific needs of older people and people with a disability in privately owned homes with a 20% contribution required from the local authority.
Both schemes involve works that are necessary to address the needs of older people or people with a disability. This may involve adaptations, such as stair lifts, grabs rails, accessible showers, wet-rooms, ramps, etc., but can also provide funding for more significant adaptations such as extensions, for example in the case of overcrowding, or the installation of a downstairs bedroom or bathroom.
In the case of the DPG scheme, it is a matter for individual local authorities to work within their annual funding allocation, assess individual applications and prioritise the works required under the scheme within available funding. The Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme provides grant funding to eligible applicants in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. These grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, which are 80% funded by the Department, with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. The Scheme is more sharply focused towards lower income households with the greatest needs. A means test applies to the Scheme in order to achieve fairness and value for money in its operation.
In 2020 and in line with previous years under the DPG scheme, local authorities including Louth County Council were asked to submit details of its work proposals and related funding requirements for the year. Following an assessment of the local authority returns, I recently announced the 2020 funding allocations and some €18m is being made available this year, an increase of 19% on 2019 levels. Details of the funding allocations, which includes funding towards the Improvement Works In Lieu Scheme (IWILs) for some local authorities, are available at the following link:
https://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-obrien-approves-some-e18-million-in-funding-
for-the-disabled-persons-grant-scheme-and-the-improvement-works-in-lieu-of-local-authority-housing-scheme/.
My Department provides 90% funding towards the cost of eligible DPG works per property with the remaining 10% being provided by the local authorities. The local authority can carry out works up to a maximum level of €75,000 per property without the prior approval of the Department; requests for funding in excess of this can be submitted to the Department for consideration on a case by case basis. In 2020, Louth County Council has been allocated €367,408 under the DPG scheme and along with the Council's 10% contribution, means funding of €408,231 this year. Separately in 2020, they have received an additional €83,902 for accrued commitments from 2019.
