Grant Payments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024

Wednesday, 20 March 2024

Ceisteanna (698)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

698. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider an increase in the threshold to the income limits for the mobility aids grant taking into account current inflation and cost of living; if he will consider allowing the same sliding scale of income limits as is currently being used for the Housing Aid for Older People to allow for a percentage grant to be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13073/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Housing for All commits to reviewing the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme and a report on the review has been prepared by my Department. The review was informed by engagement with external stakeholders, including the Department of Health, the HSE, the Disability Federation of Ireland and the Irish Wheelchair Association. Written submissions were also invited and considered as part of this process. Among the areas which the review considered are the income thresholds that apply and the grant limits.

On foot of my consideration of the Review report, my Department shared the report and supplementary analysis with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and is engaging with that Department on the recommendations in the report with a view to bringing forward amendments to the relevant Regulations governing the schemes as soon as possible.