Thomas Gould
Question:297. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the review into housing adaptation grants. [11160/23]
View answerTuesday, 7 March 2023
Questions (297, 298, 311, 312)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:298. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is any flexibility in relation to grant awards, particularly adaptation grants, given the increase in construction inflation; and, if not, if consideration will be given to providing flexibility. [11161/23]
View answer
Mattie McGrath
Question:311. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will increase the income threshold for eligibility for housing adaptation grants from local authorities to support working families who encounter illness or life-changing physical disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11412/23]
View answerMattie McGrath
Question:312. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will increase the maximum grant awards available under the housing adaption grants from local authorities to reflect the increasing costs in construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11413/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 297, 298, 311 and 312 together.
My Department provides funding to local authorities to enable them to administer the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme. These schemes assist eligible applicants living in privately owned homes to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs.
The schemes provide grant funding, as set down in Regulations, to assist in the carrying out of works which are reasonably necessary for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for the accommodation of a person with a disability which includes an enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual impairment. The schemes are means tested and operate on a sliding scale with the highest percentage grants available to those with the lowest incomes and vice versa.
Housing for All commits to reviewing the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. Among the areas which the review considered are the income thresholds, the grant limits, the application and decision making processes, including supplementary documentation required. A report on the review of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability has been prepared by my Department. I will be giving careful consideration to the review report and expect to make a decision on the recommendations in the report as soon as possible.
Question No. 298 answered with Question No. 297.