Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023
338. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a breakdown of the number and cost of bathroom conversions for council tenants for each local authority in each of the years 2019 to 2022. [19429/23]
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.
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.
The detailed administration of this scheme including assessment, approval and prioritisation of applications is the responsibility of local authorities and details in relation to the costs and exact nature of works to individual properties may be available from each individual local authority upon request.
My Department will continue to support local authorities in their work in this area. Funding allocations under the 2023 Programme will be announced shortly.
