Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 March 2023
92. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing adaption grants awarded in 2022 in Cork; the total value in euros; the number of families that benefitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11787/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, to assist people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, each of which are 80% funded by my Department, with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority.
Cork County Council received an allocation for 2022 of €4.8 million and recouped a total of €5.04 million from my Department up to 31 December 2022, which facilitated payment of 820 grants. This included an additional €244k in Exchequer funding requested by Cork County Council in December 2022 and approved by my Department. This was also matched by additional funding provided from the Council’s own resources, ensuring as many applications were approved as possible given the increased demand for these schemes.
Cork City Council received an allocation for 2022 of €2.2 million and recouped a total of €1.95 million from my Department up to 31 December 2022, which facilitated payment of 354 grants.
I am pleased to say the exchequer funding for these grants for 2023 has increased to €66.5 million and, when including the 20% local authority contribution, it will provide for a total of over €83 million in grants, continuing the year on year increases since 2014. This is projected to facilitate the provision of 12,700 grants.
