Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 June 2021
104. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the maximum grant level for the housing adaptation grant for persons with disabilities was last increased; the estimated additional funding needed to increase the maximum grant level by €5,000, €10,000 and €20,000, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35147/21]
View answer105. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated additional cost of increasing the income threshold of €60,000 to qualify for housing adaptation grant for persons with disabilities by €1,000, €,5000 and €10,000, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35148/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 105 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, with responsibility for the apportionment between them being a matter for each local authority. Any increase in the existing grant limits and income thresholds would have to be considered in the context of the full suite of grants.
The terms and conditions governing the grants were examined in 2013 by a review group that included representatives of grant beneficiaries and the local authorities. They considered how the benefits of the grants could be spread as widely as possible and to achieve fairness and value for money in the grants process. Arising from the recommendations of the review group, the income requirements, eligibility and maximum grant were revised in 2014 to focus the grants towards those with the greatest need.
My Department has committed to beginning a review this year of the means test criteria and maximum grant limits applicable to the housing adaptation grants.
Funding of €75 million is available nationally in 2021 for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme. This funding has increased year on year since 2014. 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/
