Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 268: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to grant aid for a sector of people (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10906/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department operates a number of adaptation grant schemes to assist people with a disability or with mobility issues with their accommodation needs. The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability Scheme, which is administered by local authorities, assists in the provision/adaptation of accommodation to meet the needs of people with a disability. Under the Scheme the effective maximum grant is €30,000, which may cover up to 95% of the cost of works. The types of work grant aided under the Scheme may include the provision of access ramps, grab rails, downstairs toilet facilities, stair-lifts, accessible showers, adaptations to facilitate wheelchair access, extensions etc. Prioritisation of eligibility is 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 Mobility Aids Grant Scheme, which is also administered by local authorities, provides grants to cover a basic suite of works to address mobility problems, primarily but not exclusively, associated with ageing. The Scheme fast tracks grant aid to people on lower incomes (maximum annual household income threshold €30,000). The effective maximum grant available is €6,000 and may cover 100% of the cost of works. The types of works grant aided under the Scheme may include grab-rails, access ramps, level access showers and stair-lifts.