Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 June 2021
232. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if supports are available without household income means tests for a severely disabled person to install equipment such as a full lift in cases in which the only way in which they can live independently is by being with a member of their wider family and in which a means test on other household income would be unfairly restricting their options. [34067/21]
View answerMy Department provides funding to local authorities so as to enable them adminsiter the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme. These schemes assist eligible applicants living in privately owned homes to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs.
The grants available operate on a sliding scale with the highest percentage grants available to those with the lowest incomes and vice versa. The schemes are means tested. Grant assistance is not available to applicants whose household income, after disregards and deductions, exceeds €60,000 per annum. A review is being undertaken this year by officials of my Department in relation to the means test criteria.
Local authorities, in administering the scheme, should always work with qualifying applicants to ensure they get the most beneficial outcome possible in line with their financial circumstances.
Further detail on these schemes is available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/service/6636c-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/
