Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 July 2023
120. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the options open to an individual who is over the threshold for the disabled persons’ adaptations grant but is still in need of a bathroom conversion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33113/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding to local authorities for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme. The Grant Scheme assists eligible applicants living in privately owned homes to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs.
The grants available operate on a sliding scale with the highest percentage grants available to those with the lowest incomes and vice versa. The schemes are means tested and grant assistance is not available to applicants whose household income, after disregards and deductions, exceeds €60,000 per annum. The household income approach is intended to spread the benefits of the grant scheme as widely as possible and to ensure fairness and value for money in operation of the scheme towards those with the greatest needs. Local authorities, in administering the scheme, work with qualifying applicants to secure the most beneficial outcome possible in line with the applicants' financial circumstances and within the parameters of the Grant Scheme.
Further detail on these schemes is available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/service/6636c-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/
Housing for All commits to reviewing the full suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. A report on the review of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability has been prepared by my Department. Among the areas which the review considered are the income thresholds and the grant limits. On foot of my careful consideration of the Review report, I have asked my Department officials to engage with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on the recommendations in the Review report.
