Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I also start with best wishes for International Women's Day. I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. I know from my own county that this a hugely beneficial grant scheme. I recognise the challenges raised by the Senator, particularly as construction costs continue to rise. My Department provides funding to local authorities under the suite of housing adaptation grants for older people and people with a disability, to assist people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs, which also facilitates early return from hospital stays. The grants include the housing adaptation grant for people with a disability, the mobility aids grant and the housing aid for older people grant. These are 80% funded by my Department, with a 20% matching contribution from the resources of the local authority. These grants are available to people with an enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual disability, and to older people who experience mobility issues or require essential home repairs so they can continue to live independently. The schemes are means-tested and operate on a sliding scale, with the highest percentage grants available to those with the lowest incomes and vice versa. The detailed administration of these schemes, including assessment, approval, prioritisation and apportionment between the three schemes, is the responsibility of local authorities. In 2022, additional funding was secured from wider savings across the vote for the scheme resulting in €85.9 million expenditure overall. This facilitated the payment of over 12,000 grants which compares favourably with the target of over 10,700 grants. The funding available for these grants in 2023 has been increased by almost €2 million to a total of over €83 million when accounting for the local authority contribution - continuing the year-on-year increase since 2014. Housing for All commits to undertaking a review of the range of housing grants available to assist with meeting specific housing needs, both for our ageing population and people with a disability. The demographics are showing that we are living older and living longer. I think that is fantastic, and we need to meet the challenges that puts in front of us. A report on the review of the housing adaptation grants for older people and people with a disability has been prepared by my Department. Among the areas the review is considering are income thresholds, grant limits, application and decision-making processes, including the supplementary documentation required. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, will be giving careful consideration to the review report and will make a decision on the recommendations in the report as soon as possible. On the Senator's query on the retrofitting grant scheme, I know that the scheme is under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, which is under the auspices of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. The Department can provide further details on SEAI schemes. I recognise the challenges with these grants, particularly given the increase in construction costs. That is why the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, was minded to carry out this review. The findings of that review will be useful in informing how we adapt and tweak these grants in order to be in a position where they continue to be impactful, which they have been across the country. It is critically important that we are able to review them and ensure they are fit for purpose.