Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 February 2024
287. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to the application process for the housing adaptation grant, if he will consider simplifying the application process to make it more user friendly for older people. [5705/24]
View answerMy Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities to administer 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, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People. The detailed administration of these schemes including assessment, approval, prioritisation and apportionment between the three schemes is the responsibility of local authorities.
My Department issued a revised single application form covering the three grants, which was tested for plain English, to all local authorities in December 2019 together with revised guidelines for implementation by end January 2020. This was as a result of my Department’s proactive engagement with local authorities and key stakeholders including Alone and Age Friendly Ireland. My Department continues to engage with all local authorities in order to ensure full implementation of the streamlined application process, resulting in a more user friendly and accessible application process for all applicants including older people making the grants more accessible overall.
Arising from a commitment in Housing for All, my Department conducted a review of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme and subsequently prepared a report. On foot of my consideration of the Review report, my Department shared the report and supplementary analysis with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and is engaging with that Department on the recommendations in the report with a view to bringing forward amendments to the relevant Regulations governing the schemes.
