Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2021
625. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated additional cost of increasing the funding to the housing adaptation grant for people with a disability by 5%, 10% and 25% respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31530/21]
View answer626. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated additional cost of increasing the funding to the mobility aids grant scheme by 5%, 10% and 25% respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31531/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 625 and 626 together.
My Department provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, in respect of private houses. There are three separate grants available, including the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and Housing Aid for Older People grant. Funding of €75 million is available for the three grant schemes in 2021, made up of €60 million Exchequer funding, with the balance of €15 million being contributed by the local authorities. The responsibility for the apportionment between each grant scheme is a matter for each local authority, and any increase in funding would have to be considered in the context of the full suite of grants.
Increasing funding by 5% would cost an additional €3 million to the Exchequer, with a further €0.75 million to be contributed by the local authorities, an increase of 10% would cost an additional €6 million to the Exchequer, with a further €1.5 million to be contributed by the local authorities, while an increase of 25% would cost an additional €15 million to the Exchequer, with a further €3.75 million to be contributed by the local authorities.
As part of the annual budgetary process, consideration will be given to this funding in future years in line with the Programme for Government commitments and the Policy Statement on Housing Options for Our Ageing Population, which is available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/ea33c1-housing-options-for-our-ageing-population-policy-statement/.
