Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 246: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the ceilings on the various grants payable through local authorities for housing adaptation and repair or improvement of houses and the income thresholds which apply; if a review of these terms has been undertaken; and if a revision is under consideration. [33167/08]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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My Department operates three grant schemes to assist in the carrying out of works that are reasonably necessary for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for the accommodation of an older person or a person with a disability who is a member of the household: the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme, and the Housing Aid for Older People scheme, all introduced on the 1 November 2007. Eligibility for grant payment is determined inter alia on the basis of household income in the previous tax year. The income thresholds which apply are set out in the attached table. To protect the value of the grant into the future, grants levels will be adjusted annually in line with the Building Cost Index. The income limits will also be increased annually in line with wage inflation.

Local authorities have been advised of a number of income disregards which will apply in calculating household income. A list of these income disregards is also attached. My Department is committed to carrying out an independent evaluation of these grant schemes following the first year of full implementation.

Under the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme, the maximum grant of €6,000, which may cover 100% of the cost of works, will be available to those with gross annual household incomes of up to €30,000. Applicants whose gross household income exceeds €30,000 are ineligible for grant aid under the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme.

Extract from Guidelines governing the revised Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability.

Income Disregards

In determining gross household income, local authorities shall, for eligibility purposes, reduce the amount of household income by the following payments/disregards:

€5,000 for each member of the household aged up to age 18 years;

€5,000 for each member of the household aged between 18 and 23 years and in full time education, or engaged in a FÁS apprenticeship;

€5,000 where the person with a disability for whom the application for grant aid is sought, is being cared for by a relative on a full-time basis;

the amount of the following payments received in the previous tax year:

Child Benefit;

Early Childcare Supplement;

Family Income Supplement;

Domiciliary Care Allowance;

Respite Care Grant;

Carer's Benefit / Allowance (where the Carer's payment is made in respect of the person for whom the application for grant aid is sought).

Foster Care Allowance;

Fuel Allowance