The current scheme of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability was introduced in 2007 and has encompassed the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme, as well as the Essential Repairs Grants and the Disabled Persons Grants. The Housing Adaptation Grants provide a strong level of funding to support older people for the continued independent occupancy of their own homes . There are three types of grants available as follows:
- The Housing Aid for Older People , which provides grants of up to €8,000 to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out;
- The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability which assists people with a disability to have necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works carried out in order to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs ;
- The Mobility Aids Grant , which fast tracks grants to cover a basic suite of works to address the mobility problems of a member of a household.
I am aware of the social benefit accruing from these grants and, for 2016, there is a total of €56.25 million in available funding, which is an increase of some 10% over last year. This will see over 8,000 households receiving grant aid this year, contributing significantly to the scope for people to live independently in their own homes, including those leaving hospitals. I am committed to ensuring that these grants continue to be well funded in future years.
