Ó An Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitúil agus Oidhreachta
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The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, and Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Alan Dillon, jointly announced increased funding in housing grants for older people and those with a disability.
The increases are made possible by the commencement of the Revised Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People Scheme.
The improvements in this revision include an increase in the grant limits of over 30% and an increase of 25% in the income thresholds for eligibility. Key changes in the Regulations include:
Commenting today Minister O’Brien said:
“I am delighted the revised Scheme is now in operation. These grants make a real and significant impact on the lives of older and disabled people. The measures introduced ensure that the grants are fit for purpose. I have committed almost €100 million to support the grants for 2025, continuing the support for families and individuals to live independently, in the comfort of their own communities.”
Minister Dillon emphasised:
“The delivery of approximately 15,000 grants in 2024 is a result of the work done at local level including local tradesmen. 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 through these revised grants. The commencement of the revised scheme and the additional funding announced will support local authorities to continue to facilitate this goal for many of our citizens.”
The Housing (Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People) Regulations 2024 provide the legal basis for the introduction of the recommendations set out in the recently completed review. The revised scheme commenced on 1 December 2024 and all applications submitted on or after that date will be considered under the revised scheme. New application forms are now available from local authorities.
Since the launch of the scheme in November 2007, significantly increased levels of activity continue to be experienced by local authorities with over 160,000 grants being paid to older people and disabled people. This has facilitated those applicants to remain in their own homes and communities, and in the case of many older people preventing premature entry to residential care.
The Regulations, which commenced on 1 December 2024, provide for increases in the grant limits by over 30% (see also tables in Regulations) as follows:
The Housing Adaptation Grant for Disabled People revised maximum grant is €40,000 (an increase of €10,000 from €30,000). In addition, there is a proposed minor amendment to the percentage of costs to increase it to 100% (from 95%). For those applicants who qualify at the lower end of the scale, the proposed revised grant limit amounts to €12,000 (increase of €3,000 from €9,000).
The Housing Aid for Older People Grant revised maximum grant is €10,700 (increase of €2,700 from €8,000). In addition, the percentage of costs is proposed to increase to 100% (from 95%). For those applicants who qualify at the lower end of the scale, the proposed revised grant limit amounts to €3,210 (increase of €810 from €2,400).
The Mobility Aids Grant revised maximum grant is €8,000 (increase of €2,000 from €6,000).
The Regulations also provide for the following:
1. Deductions for children (€5,000 - €6,250)
2. Deduction for full-time carers (€5,000 - €6,250)
1. Deductions for Housing Mortgage/Rent Expenses (up to €6,250)
2. Deductions for Residential Care fees (up to €12,500)
3. Deductions for Cost of Care in the Home (up to €12,500 or €6,250 if full-time carer deduction claimed)