Written answers

Tuesday, 27 February 2007

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Housing Grants

9:00 pm

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 93: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the changes in the housing grant for people with a disability will only cover 95% of the total cost of works to a home and the need for the applicant to provide the 5% shortfall will present problems due to the well documented links between poverty and disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7338/07]

Photo of Noel AhernNoel 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. The maximum grant available will be €30,000.

Significant improvements have been made to the terms and conditions of the grant scheme for people with disabilities in recent years. In 2001, the percentage of works covered by the grant was increased from two-thirds to 90%. Under the revised scheme the Housing Adaptation Grant has been further improved and may now cover up to 95% of the approved cost of works.

The Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme for People with a Disability is intended, like a number of other housing grant schemes operated by my Department, to assist works which provide additional or adapted accommodation in private houses. However, it is not designed to cover the full cost of works for all applicants. Local authorities may provide reconstruction loans to qualified applicants who have difficulty in obtaining finance to meet the balance of the cost. The grant may cover the full cost of the works to local authority dwellings.

The revised scheme will become operational during 2007 and I intend to issue detailed administrative guidance later this year to all local authorities.

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