Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2024
253. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage given the contradictory stances between local authorities such as SDCC and the guidance from his Department and the Ombudsman (details supplied), if he will clarify the intended use and eligibility criteria of the housing adaptation grant for people with disabilities, especially regarding structural modifications like sensory rooms. [11272/24]
View answer254. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to ensure that local authorities are aligned with the national and his Department's guidelines and interpretations of the housing adaptation grant to prevent discrepancies and confusion among applicants without referring this matter back as a decision for local authorities. [11279/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 253 and 254 together.
My 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. Extensions to provide for ground floor bathrooms and bedrooms can also be supported.
This programme also provides capital funding to Local Authorities for Improvement Works in Lieu of local authority housing (IWILs) to enable them to repair, improve or extend privately owned houses that are occupied or will be occupied by approved housing applicants as an alternative to the provision of local authority housing. The scheme may also be used to improve private houses intended for occupation by a person surrendering a local authority house.
The Disabled Persons Grant funding may be considered for the provision of infrastructural and safety related adaptations to create appropriate space for applicants with specific sensory needs. Applications of this nature should be supported by a multidisciplinary assessment of the applicant by specialist healthcare professionals. This should outline who will be responsible for therapy services and/or the provision and upkeep of sensory related equipment. My Department does not fund the provision of sensory equipment.
The detailed administration of this scheme including assessment, approval and prioritisation of applications is the responsibility of Local Authorities.
