Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 March 2018
263. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when funding for housing adaptation works to local authority dwellings to enable councils commence urgent work will be allocated. [10706/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding under the Disabled Persons Grants (DPG) scheme to local authorities for adaptations and extensions to the existing social housing stock to meet the needs of local authority tenants. The scheme applies to adaptations that are necessary to address the needs of older people or people with a disability who may require stair-lifts, grab-rails, showers, wet-rooms, ramps, etc. It also provides funding for extensions such as the installation of a downstairs bedroom or bathroom or in the case of overcrowding.
My Department will shortly be issuing a call to all local authorities requesting their funding requirements in respect of the DPG scheme for 2018. It should be noted that works can take place throughout the year to allow for the full utilisation of the annual funding allocation to each local authority and, to facilitate this and to ensure that there is no delay in respect of priority works under the programme, local authorities are allowed to undertake works up to a maximum value of 65% of their previous year's allocation in advance of notification of the current year's allocation.
