Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
424. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the current €30,000 upper limit on the amount payable under the essential works grant scheme for the elderly will be reviewed upwardly; and if so, when this will occur given the current inflationary costs affecting construction. [37603/22]
View answerMy Department provides funding to local authorities for 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. Funding of €81.25 million is available nationally in 2022 which is an increase of €6.25 million on the 2021 provision of €75 million, continuing the year on year increases since 2014.
Housing for All commits to reviewing the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. The review is now underway within my Department and is being informed by ongoing engagement with external stakeholders, for example, the Department of Health, the HSE, the Disability Federation of Ireland, the Irish Wheelchair Association and Jack and Jill Foundation. Submissions have been invited from key stakeholders such as these in relation to the review of the suite of grants.
Among the areas which the review will consider are the income thresholds, the grant limits, the application and decision making processes, including supplementary documentation required. The review is to be completed by the end of 2022.
