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
Local Fianna Fáil General Election candidate in Dublin South West, Cllr Teresa Costello, has welcomed confirmation from the Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien of his 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 the recent publication of the Report on the Review of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme. 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.
These changes, which will mean that more people will qualify for these grants, are expected to take effect in Q1 next year.
Commenting, Cllr Costello said: “Having called for an increase to both the grant limits and the thresholds for some time now I am delighted to see that Minister O’Brien has received Cabinet approval to do just that. Grant limits will increase by €10,000 in some circumstances which will be welcome news to many.
“I am particularly pleased to hear that the means testing arrangements will also be amended so that just the owner/tenant and their spouse will be assessed and that a person’s income ‘in year’ can be taken account of in certain circumstances.
“These grants are a lifeline for many families and individuals. The ESRI projections indicate that the numbers of people aged over 65 will more than double to 1.3 million people by 2040. As more people live longer lives, they will want to stay healthy and independent, live in their own homes and communities and keep to a minimum their use of in-patient and out-patient hospital services.
“Since taking office, Fianna Fáil in Government has increased the investment in these grants by over 27% from €73m in 2020 to €93m in 2024. It’s appropriate now that we make the grants easier to access and to support as many people as possible to age with dignity in their homes,” the local Fianna Fáil General Election candidate concluded.
