Seán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 268: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the cost of adapting a house for a person who has acquired a disability is in many cases much greater than the maximum grant of €30,000 which can be allocated under the disabled persons housing grant. [2912/08]

Seán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 269: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will increase the maximum grant of €30,000 which can be allocated under the disabled persons housing grant. [2913/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 268 and 269 together.

The Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme for People with a Disability, which replaced the Disabled Persons Grant Scheme with effect from 1 November 2007, is intended to assist with works which provide additional or adapted accommodation in private houses. The scheme is not designed to cover the full cost of works for all applicants.

Under the new scheme the grant has been increased from €20,320 to an effective maximum grant of €30,000, which may now cover up to 95% of the cost of works, compared to 90% previously. Furthermore, the grant level will increase annually in line with the building cost index, thus protecting its value into the future.