Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
474. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports available for families that are experiencing overcrowding in the family home and that are in need of essential maintenance or building work for additional facilities such as bathrooms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13364/23]
View answerMy Department provides funding to local authorities under the Disabled Persons Grants scheme to carry out works on social housing stock to address the needs of older people, people with a disability or overcrowded situations. Typical works include adaptations such as stair-lifts, level deck showers, ramps and grab rails, widening door opening widths and improving circulation spaces. Extensions to provide for ground floor bathrooms and bedrooms can also be supported. The detailed administration of this scheme including assessment, approval and prioritisation of applications is the responsibility of local authorities.
My Department's approach every year, in the first instance, is to allow local authorities complete works up to 65% of the previous year’s allocation in the absence of formal approval to keep this important work going. Following this, later this year, my Department will issue a single full year allocation to each local authority, so they can plan, prioritise and implement the programme to carry out the varying works necessary to meet the needs of their tenants in this year. Additional funding may be available on request to support emergency situations that may occur throughout the year. The programme is 90% funded by the Department with a 10% contribution from the local authority.
My Department provides funding to local authorities in respect of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, to assist eligible people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The suite of grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability (max grant €30,000), the Mobility Aids Grant (max grant €6,000) and the Housing Aid for Older People (max grant €8,000). A means test applies to each grant scheme. The detailed administration of the schemes is the responsibility of the local authorities.
Further details on these schemes is available 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/
