Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022
375. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline grant schemes that are available to private homeowners on low incomes who need to extend their homes (details supplied) but who do not have the means to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11533/22]
View answerMy Department provides capital funding to Local Authorities for Improvement Works in Lieu of local authority housing (IWIL) to enable them to repair, improve or extend privately owned houses that are occupied or will be occupied by approved housing applicants as an alternative to the provision of local authority housing. It is aimed at owner-occupiers whose homes are overcrowded or sub-standard and who cannot afford to carry out improvements. The homeowner must be registered on the local authority housing waiting list to qualify. The scheme may also be used to improve private houses intended for occupation by a person surrendering a local authority house.
There are specific terms and conditions which govern the administration of the scheme and local authorities are responsible for such administration, including the assessment, approval and prioritisation of applications.
In addition, local authority home improvement loans are available to owner-occupiers towards the cost of necessary works to improve, repair or extend their existing houses. These loans are only available from some local authorities.
Homeowners may be eligible for a local authority home improvement loan if they can show the local authority that they cannot get a loan from a bank or building society and their house needs to be improved, repaired or extended due to overcrowding. An income test applies to the local authority home improvement loan.
Applications for the IWIL scheme or the local authority home improvement loan should be made directly to a local authority.
