Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides Exchequer funding to local authorities to administer the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability, which support older and disabled people living in private houses to adapt their home to meet their needs. The grants include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, which are 80% funded by my Department, with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. The detailed administration of these schemes, including assessment, approval and prioritisation, is the responsibility of local authorities.

Applicants are encouraged to carry out the works as quickly as possible following grant approval. In general, works should be completed within six months following written approval from the local authority. In cases where works are not completed within six months following approval, local authorities should examine each case individually and, if necessary, offer an appropriate time extension for the completion of works. My Department engages regularly with local authorities on the effective and efficient administration of the scheme to ensure that all applications are dealt with in accordance with Departmental guidelines.

My Department also provides funding to local authorities under the Disabled Persons Grants (DPG) scheme to carry out works on social housing stock to address the needs of older people, people with a disability or overcrowded situations. Typical works include adaptations such as stair-lifts, level deck showers, ramps and grab rails, widening door openings and improving circulation spaces. Extensions to provide for ground floor bathrooms and bedrooms are also supported. The detailed administration of this scheme including assessment, approval and prioritisation of applications is the responsibility of local authorities.

In advance of formal allocations issuing, local authorities are requested to submit information on works that can be reasonably completed in a given year and once Department approval issues for the works programme local authorities are encouraged to ensure completion of works in the year of allocation of funding.