My Department provides funding on an annual basis under the Disabled Persons Grants (DPGs) 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 works that are necessary to address the needs of older people or people with a disability. This may involve minor adaptations, such as stair-lifts, grabs -rails, showers, wet-rooms, ramps etc., but can also provide funding for more major adaptations such as extensions, for example in the case of overcrowding, or the installation of a downstairs bedroom or bathroom.
Under the DPG scheme, the Department also provides funding for Improvement Works in Lieu (IWIL's) to enable local authorities to repair, improve or extend privately owned houses that are occupied or intended to be occupied by approved housing applicants, as an alternative to the provision of local authority housing.
On top of the exchequer funding amounts, the local authority makes a further 10% contribution in respect of these grants. The detailed administration of these grants, including the assessment, approval and prioritisation of applications, is the responsibility of the local authorities.
A communication issued to all local authorities in March requesting a programme of works detailing all applications on hand and the status of same together with their contractual commitments. These returns were reviewed and informed the 2021 funding allocations. Louth County Council’s combined allocation is €451,003 which will allow the Council to complete all works in their submission.
The Department will review allocations and funding drawdown later this year with a view to considering revised allocations based on the progress of works. Funding approval for works that cannot be undertaken will be redistributed to those local authorities that can complete works in excess of their allocations.
Demand for this programme has been increasing considerably over the last number of years and it is important to ensure that the available budget benefits the majority of people and meets the needs of eligible tenants.
