Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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11. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if funding to local authorities for the adaptation of homes for older persons and persons with disabilities will be reviewed given the rising costs of construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32889/22]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides funding to local authorities for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme. These schemes assist eligible applicants living in privately owned homes to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. Funding of €81.25 million is available nationally in 2022 which is an increase of €6.25 million on the 2021 provision of €75 million, continuing the year on year increases since 2014.

Housing for All commits to reviewing the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. The review is now underway within my Department and is being informed by ongoing engagement with external stakeholders, for example, the Department of Health, the HSE, the Disability Federation of Ireland, the Irish Wheelchair Association and Jack and Jill Foundation. Submissions have been invited from key stakeholders such as these this week in relation to the review of the suite of grants. I have met a number of these groups and understand the issues that people with a disability are experiencing when trying to find suitable accommodation options in the current market.

Among the areas which the review will consider are the income thresholds, the grant limits, the application and decision making processes, including supplementary documentation required. The review is to be completed by the end of 2022.  Once the review is completed full consideration will be given to its contents.  Following consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, proposals for any recommended revisions to the existing scheme will be brought to Government.