Press release
Ministers O’Brien and Dillon announce reforms following review of the Housing Adaptation Grants
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
- Over 30% increase in grant limits and an increase in income thresholds of 25% to be introduced meaning more will now be eligible for enhanced grants
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Alan Dillon TD and Minister of State for Heritage, Malcolm Noonan TD have today (26 September 2024) announced their intention to increase grant limits by over 30% and the income thresholds by 25% for those applying for support under the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme.
The planned proposed changes follow today’s publication of the Report on the Review of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme which recommends that amendments to the schemes. In particular, the review recommends an increase in grant limits in excess of 30% and an increase in income thresholds of 25%. The report also recommends adjusting the burden sharing for local authorities by reducing the local authority funding contribution to 15% (from the existing 20%) together with a number of amendments to the means test.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will now proceed to implement the review recommendations through bringing forward a statutory instrument, as urgently as possible, for the Ministers consideration and signature and with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform with the aim of introducing a revised scheme in Quarter 1 of 2025.
Commenting today Minister O’Brien said:
“I fully support the recommendations of this important review which will have a real and positive impact on the lives of older and disabled people. Since this Government has taken office we have increased the funding of these grants by over 27% from €73M in 2020 to more than €93M in 2024. This review, the first in more than a decade, will ensure that even more people are eligible to apply. These grants are a lifeline for many families and individuals – meaning they can live independently, in the comfort of their own communities, for as long as possible.”
Minister Dillon emphasised:
“The changes announced today following the recommendations of the review will improve the lives of many of the most vulnerable in our society to live longer more independent lives. As the Minister of State with responsibility for housing for older people and disabled people, I am fully committed to supporting individuals to remain at home and within their own communities for as long as possible. The Review Report published today will inform the changes needed to facilitate this goal for many of our citizens and broaden the amount of support we can give to those who most need it in communities throughout the country.”
Minister Noonan added:
“Today, I am very pleased to welcome these changes as a clear reflection of this Government’s commitment to this scheme as these grants are so fundamental in aiding older and disabled people in their daily lives. These grants have such a positive impact on the home life of the beneficiaries and play a vital role in helping disabled people and older people to continue to live independently in their own homes. The amendments to the income thresholds means that more people will be eligible to apply for the grants, while the increase in the maximum grant levels will provide enhanced financial support to eligible households.”
Housing Adaptation Grants assist with the necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works in order to make the accommodation more suitable to the needs of older and disabled people supporting them to live in their homes. The Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme includes three distinct grants, namely the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant.
Over 13,000 grants were paid in 2023. Since the launch of the scheme in November 2007, significantly increased levels of activity continue to be experienced by local authorities with over 150,000 grants being paid to older people and disabled people. This has facilitated those applicants to remain in their own homes and communities, and in many cases preventing premature entry to residential care.
ENDS
The key recommendations are to:
(i) Increase the grant limits by over 30% and the income thresholds by 25% providing for proposed increases as per this document:
Increased grant limits and income thresholds following review of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability – September 2024
Download link for
Download
View the file
View
(ii) Amend the means test including:
- Household income reverts to 2007 definition – assessing just the homeowner and their spouse in owner occupied housing, and tenant and their spouse in private rented.
- Assessment of current year earnings in exceptional circumstances
- Increase deduction for children (€5,000 to €6,250)
- Increase deduction for full-time carers (€5,000 to €6,250)
- Introduction of Deduction for Housing Mortgage/Rent Expenses (up to €6,250)
- Introduction of Deduction for Residential Care fees (up to €12,500)
- Introduction of Deduction for Cost of Care in the Home (up to €12,500 or €6,250 if full-time carer Deduction claimed)
(iii) Amend burden sharing arrangements with local authorities to reduce the local authority contribution to 15% (down from existing 20% contribution) and increase the Exchequer contribution to 85% (up from the existing 80% contribution).
(iv) Other miscellaneous recommendations include:
- Establish a time specific working group with the Disability Persons Organisations (DPOs), umbrella organisations and Local Authorities represented to further improve the application process.
- Explore the capacity to move towards an online application process.
- Undertake workshops with local authorities on any new Regulations, Guidance or Circulars in the context of updates and reviews of the schemes. As part of the communication on Guidance consider additional template documentation.
- Support local authorities to provide the option of a staged grant payment process.
- The Department will provide updated guidance to local authorities on housing adaptation assistive technologies relating to the fixtures and fittings of a property which qualify within the schemes in light of the evolving nature of such technology.