My Department provides funding to assist older people to have necessary repairs or improvement works carried out to private houses in order to facilitate the continued independent occupancy of their homes. At local level, the detailed administration and processing of these grants, including the assessment, prioritisation, approval and payment of individual grants to applicants, is the responsibility of the relevant local authority.
Of the grants available, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People scheme are primarily aimed at older people. The latter scheme provides grants of up to €8,000 to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. Grant eligible works include structural repairs or improvements, re-wiring, repairs to or replacement of windows and doors, provision of water supply and sanitary facilities, provision of heating, cleaning, painting, etc.
On 5 February 2016, I announced total funding of €56.25 million for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. I have increased the level of funding available for the grants by some 10% in 2016. This funding will see over 8,000 homes receiving grant aid this year.
My Department also provides funding to local authorities for adaptations and extensions to the social housing stock to meet the needs of local authority tenants with a disability or to address serious overcrowding. All local authorities, including Kildare County Council, have been notified of initial funding provisions to allow work on this area to continue while proposals are assessed for full year allocations. I expect the level of funding for this activity to increase for 2016.