Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019
1200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the extent to which adequate resources remain available to each local authority for the purpose of DPGs or housing adaptation grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1737/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to helping to meet the specific housing needs of people with disabilities and older people. There is a recognised quality of life benefit in terms of facilitating the continued independent living by older people and people with a disability in their own homes. To this end, my Department continues to support local authorities with schemes such as the Disabled Persons Grants scheme (DPGs) and the Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme. This is also recognised in the Programme for a Partnership Government and funding for these schemes has been prioritised and increased year on year since 2014.
Under the DPGs scheme, my Department provides local authorities with capital funding for adaptations and extensions to 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 and ramps etc. It also provides funding for extensions such as the installation of a downstairs bedroom or bathroom or in the case of overcrowding.
Under the DPG scheme, funding is also provided to local authorities for Improvement Works In Lieu (IWIL’s) to enable them to repair, improve or extend privately owned houses that are occupied by approved housing applicants as an alternative to the provision of local authority housing.
Funding recouped to local authorities by my Department has steadily increased in recent years. In 2018, €15.4m was recouped under the DPG scheme. In order to ensure that there are no delays, for priority and urgent cases, local authorities may undertake works of up to 65% of their 2018 allocation in advance of the notification of their 2019 funding. In this regard, a circular will issue to local authorities shortly.
My Department also provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability, in respect of private housing. The schemes are 80% funded by my Department, with a 20% contribution from the local authority. For 2019, a total of €71.25 million will be provided for the schemes, which represents an 8% increase on the funding provided in 2018.
Further consideration will be given to increasing this funding over the coming years in the context of the range of housing supports and provision being made under Rebuilding Ireland.
