Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 October 2022
194. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of the €67 million in funding that was announced in Budget 2023 to fund 12,300 grants to adapt the homes of older people and people with a disability that is new and additional funding for 2023. [49271/22]
View answer197. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the review of the adaptation grant for older people and people with a disability scheme will be published. [49274/22]
View answer210. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the amounts payable under the housing adaptation grants will be increased in view of the significant increase in building costs; when these grant amounts were last revised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49392/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 194, 197 and 210 together.
My 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, with Exchequer funding of €65 million available nationally in 2022. As part of the annual budgetary process the Exchequer funding provision for 2023 has been increased by €2 million to a total of €67 million, continuing the year on year increases since 2014. The maximum grants limits for the scheme are set by secondary legislation, namely, the Housing (Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with Disabilities) Regulations 2007, which were updated in 2014.
Housing for All commits to reviewing the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. Among the areas which the review, currently underway, 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.
