€2.7m For Elderly And Disabled Housing Adaptations

And the living is hazy…

atest press release from the Housing Press Office, issued on Thursday, May 30th 2024…

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, and Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Alan Dillon TD, have today announced the allocation of over €2.7m in funding for Wicklow for Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People.

This represents a 16% increase when compared to last year’s funding for Wicklow and is part of €93m in funds allocated nationally in 2024.

Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People assist the people of Wicklow with the necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works in order to make the accommodation more suitable to the needs of older and disabled people supporting them to live in their homes.

80% (€2.18m) of the grant comes from exchequer funding through the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The remaining 20% (€545k) in funding comes from Wicklow County Council, who administer the scheme.

Commenting today Minister O’Brien said: “I am delighted that we are able to allocate increased funding for Wicklow in 2024 to ensure delivery of these much needed grants which will allow Wicklow County Council to continue to support older and disabled people to live independently and in their own homes.

“As I travel around the country I am regularly meeting and speaking with people who have received assistance through these grants and the difference they make in helping people to live independently for as long as possible is remarkable. These grants also support local economies, creating employment opportunities for local contractors and businesses which is very important, “he concluded.

Grants of up to €30,000 are available to assist disabled people carry out necessary works to make a house more suitable for their needs. Additionally, grants of up to €8,000 are available to assist older people to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out on their homes and grants of up to €6,000 are available for mobility aids.

When combined with the local authority contribution, funding of over €93 million in 2024 will deliver some 13,000 grants for older people and disabled people to facilitate them living independently in their own homes.

Minister Dillon added: “I am pleased that funding for our local authorities to administer this scheme has continued to increase year on year since 2014. This Government is committed to this scheme as these grants are fundamental in aiding older and disabled people in their daily lives.

“These grants have such a positive impact on the home life of the many beneficiaries and play a vital role in helping disabled people and people who are reaching an age in life when they are less mobile, to continue to live independently in their own homes.

“As Minister of State with responsibility for housing for older people and disabled people, I am fully committed to supporting individuals to remain at home and within their own communities for as long as possible. The funding announced today will facilitate this goal for many.”

Housing for All commits to reviewing the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme. The Department is continuing engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on the recommendations in a report on the review of the range of housing grants.

The review has been prepared with a view to publishing the final report and bringing forward amendments to the relevant Regulations governing the schemes as soon as possible.