Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
519. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a decision will be made and extension given to a house owned by Donegal County Council which has an issue with mica (details supplied); the plans of the local authority for the family concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1395/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Disabled Persons Grant Scheme (DPGs) is funded by my Department to carry out works on social housing stock to address the needs of older people, people with a disability and over-crowded household situations. Typical works include adaptations such as stair-lifts, level deck showers, ramps and grab rails, widening door opening widths and improving circulation spaces. Extensions to provide for ground floor bathrooms and bedrooms can also be supported.
It is the local authorities that identify housing adaptation needs within local authority owned housing stock and oversee and prioritise appropriate responses to meet this need. My Department does not prescribe how this is implemented at local authority level.
Notwithstanding this, I do acknowledge the challenges arising in this situation. Donegal County Council has advised my Department that they are exploring the options available to meet the needs of the family involved.
Separately, as part of the enhanced measures announced on the 30 November 2021 with regard to the Defective Concrete Block grant scheme, work is ongoing within my Department to progress implementation of the Government decision to introduce a parallel grant process for local authority and approved housing body owned social homes impacted by the use of defective concrete blocks in their construction.
