Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2023
359. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin 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 for private houses will be published. [29165/23]
View answer378. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost to the Exchequer of increasing the housing adaptation grant from €30,000 to €60,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29319/23]
View answer393. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the flexibility that local authorities have when it comes to introducing caps on amounts awarded under housing adaption grants for persons with a disability, such as caps based on room size; if local authorities have the autonomy to introduce caps to limit the amounts being awarded despite what is outlined as regards amounts available under these grants, as per the application form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29726/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 359, 378 and 393 together.
My Department provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, in respect of private houses. There are three separate grants available, including the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, with responsibility for the apportionment between them being a matter for each local authority. Any increase in the existing grant limits would have to be considered in the context of the full suite of grants. The information sought with respect to this costing is not readily available within my Department.
Local authorities are responsible for the detailed administration of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme for private houses, including the assessment, approval and payment of grants to applicants under the various measures.
Guidance issued by my Department recommends that local authorities assemble a schedule of standard costs for each element of works available for funding under the scheme, which accurately reflects the market costs within the local authority area. It is also recommended that local authorities should review their schedule of standardised cost on a twice yearly basis using the services of a Quantity Surveyor. The standardisation of costs is intended to improve consistency and have a cost stabilisation effect on grant levels in each local authority area. Recognising, however, that individual homes may differ local authorities can approve a grant in excess of their own standard costings, up to the maximum grant caps, if the local authority considers that a higher cost is justified.
Housing for All commits to reviewing the Housing Adaptation Grants and a report on the review has been prepared by my Department. The review was informed by engagement with external stakeholders, including the Department of Health, the HSE, the Disability Federation of Ireland and the Irish Wheelchair Association. Among the areas which the review considered are the income thresholds and the grant limits. I have received the Review report and on foot of the careful consideration, I have asked my Department to engage with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on the recommendations in the Review report.
