Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2021
186. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a person cannot receive funding under the housing adaption grant twice in a four year period; if there is a four-year rule in which a person has to wait to apply for the grant for a second time as detailed in correspondence from a local authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47288/21]
View answerHousing Circular 41 of 2019, issued 20 December 2019, provided local authorities with revised guidelines for the operation of the Housing Adaptation Grant for Older People and People with a Disability scheme, in respect of private houses. This circular also included a revised single application form for use by all local authorities.
These guidelines clearly state that there is no legal bar to the payment of a second grant where an applicant’s circumstances have changed significantly, additional qualifying works under the grant schemes are necessary and the applicant remains eligible for grant assistance under the relevant schemes qualifying conditions . No limit applies to the amount of grant funding an applicant can receive in their lifetime nor the minimum time limits between grant applications.
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 circumstances. Engagement with local authorities is on-going and my Department is currently undertaking workshops with local authorities to ensure the Scheme is being administered optimally.
