Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 561: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, due to the increase in the cost of building material, general building costs and the overall cost of living, he will ensure that the disabled person's grant is increased in order that people with disabilities can adapt their homes to suit their needs. [7508/07]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Details of the revised housing adaptation grant schemes for older people and people with a disability were announced recently as part of My Department's new housing policy statement Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities. The revised schemes are based on the outcome of the review of the Disabled Persons Grant scheme, which was recently completed within my Department. The review also incorporated the conditions governing the Essential Repairs Grant scheme and the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly scheme.

As part of the new conditions, a revised grant scheme to be known as the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability will be introduced. The scheme will assist in the provision/adaptation of accommodation to meet the needs of people with a disability and is designed to ensure that available funding is targeted at lower income households and those whose accommodation needs are greatest. The grant will be increased from the current effective maximum of €20,320 to a maximum of €30,000 which may cover up to 95% of the cost of works. Prioritisation of eligibility will be on the basis of medical and financial need with 95% of the approved cost of work available to those with annual household incomes of less than €30,000, tapering to 30% for those with annual household incomes of €54,001 to €65,000.

The revised scheme will become operational during 2007 and the maximum grant levels will be increased in line with the building cost index on an annual basis thereafter. I intend to issue detailed administrative guidance in relation to the operation of the new scheme to all local authorities later this year.