Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Last year we provided significant additional funding in the supplementary to local authorities which were delivering, exceeding and being proactive on this. We have also changed and updated the grants, which is long overdue. I think everyone agrees on that. We have increased funding of €25 million. That will help us as well. There is a 33% increase in grant limits and a 25% increase in income thresholds, which have not changed since about 2011. We have increased the highest level of the grants. This has been called for by Government and Opposition Members for a number of years. I got Cabinet approval for it. That funding is from 2025 onwards, an increase of €25 million. I would like us to be able to implement those changes as soon as possible. If at all possible, I would like to have those grant rates applied this year for new applications coming in, so we do not have to wait until quarter 1 of next year. I am working with the local authorities on the regulations.

Deputy Ó Broin asked earlier, regarding the €100 million allocation in respect of housing adaptation grants, for the split between DPG grants and housing application grants. I do not have it to hand right now but will get it to him. If I dig it out before the end of the meeting, I will let him know about it.