Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022
350. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the means test for disability grants, including in cases in which there are multiple owners of the house in question but only one or two residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11211/22]
View answerThe Housing Adaptation Grant for Older People and People with a Disability scheme household income is calculated based on the combined annual gross income in the previous tax year of both the owner of any property, together with that of his or her spouse and each member of the household in full-time occupation of the house where such a member is aged 18 years or more, or, where he or she is engaged in full-time third level education, is aged 23 years or more.
Certain income is disregarded in calculating household income, including €5,000 for each member of the household aged under 18 years old, and €5,000 if the applicant is being cared for by a family member on a full time basis. Certain Department of Social Protection payments are also not taken into account, such as Family Income Supplement, Domiciliary Care Allowance and Carer’s Benefit/Allowance.
A person living in a property they do not own can also avail of the scheme, based on their own income, where they are renting the property and a tenancy agreement is in place. Further details on the scheme can found on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/service/6636c-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/
The household income approach is intended to spread the benefits of the grant scheme as widely as possible and to ensure fairness and value for money in operation of the scheme towards those with the greatest needs.
