Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the adaptation grant in the context of the three areas it covers and the quality of life that it gives to people. I have seen first-hand the life-changing effects the grants can have. Unfortunately, the level of funding relating to the grant has major consequences for the most vulnerable in our society. Only €81 million was allocated in 2022. Rising costs, supply chain issues and the scarcity of builders and tradespeople is having a major impact.

I thank the county council office in Limerick city and the rural office for the hard work they are doing. They deliver a turnaround in three or four weeks to help our office to help other people. But what can we do to help with inflation for these grants? The square footage price in 2020 was €120. For every square foot of a house, the Government took €16.20 in VAT. It takes 23% VAT on materials. In order to counteract the impact of inflation in respect of the adaptation grants, could the Government remove both sets of VAT? If it did so, it would mean that people who are getting materials for their houses through the adaptation grant would not have to pay the VAT of 23% on materials or the 13% relating to labour. That would help stretch the money people get via the grants without the need to increase them. We could do something that way. The Minister would not have to go to Europe to remove the VAT relating to materials or labour. That would be at the Government's discretion.

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