Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023
339. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider allowing council tenants to apply for the housing aid for older persons grant and the disabled persons grants to speed up the process following long delays with local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19430/23]
View answerMy Department provides funding to local authorities under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme. The scheme assists eligible applicants living in privately owned homes to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The detailed administration of the grants including their assessment, approval and prioritisation, is the responsibility of each local authority.
My Department provides funding separately 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. Each scheme operates independently of the other with Disabled Person Grants applicable to local authority owned homes and the Housing Adaptation Grants available for homes in private ownership.
I am satisfied that the discrete statutory operation of both schemes provides adequately and satisfactorily for grants provision for both private and social housing.
