Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 October 2023
128. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funds that are available to someone who is eligible for the full housing aid for the older persons' grant, but where the work done in the house is over the €8,000 maximum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42883/23]
View answer136. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, in view that the grant maximum for housing aid for older people has not gone up in a number of years, he will consider increasing the grant maximum, to fall in line with the increase in costs for essential housing maintenance, such as rewiring, which costs €10-€15,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42882/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 136 together.
My Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities to support the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability which support older and disabled people living in private houses to adapt their home to meet their needs. The grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability (maximum grant €30,000), the Mobility Aids Grant (maximum grant €6,000) and the Housing Aid for Older People (maximum grant €8,000).
The income limits and maximum grant amounts payable under the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme are underpinned by S.I. 670 of 2007, and amended in 2014 by S.I. No. 104 of 2014.
Housing for All commits to reviewing the grants scheme 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. Written submissions were also invited and considered as part of this process. Among the areas which the review considered are the income thresholds (including the means test provisions) and grant limits, and the application and decision-making processes including the supplementary documentation required.
On foot of my consideration of the Review report, I have asked my Department to engage with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on the recommendations in the Review report, and this engagement is ongoing at present.
