Over €59m now available for Home Adaptations for older people

By Brendan Grehan

Local TD, Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald has welcomed the announcement that €1.5 million will be made available in 2017 for Housing Adaptations for Older People and People with a Disability living in private houses in our local area.

Tánaiste Fitzgerald told The Echo: “I am delighted to announce that funding of €1.5 is being made available in 2017. The Government has provided €47.8m in funding this year, an increase of 6 per cent on the 2016 figure.

 

“Combined with the local authority contribution, the overall funding is now €59.8m throughout the country”.

The investment will allow extensions to be built for people with a disability as well as housing adaptations to improve mobility aid (such as stair-lifts, access ramps, etc.).

She added: “Grants of up to €30,000 are available for an adaptation, up to €8,000 for housing aid for older people and up to €6,000 for mobility aids.

“The grants are 80 per cent funded from the Exchequer by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community & Local Government, with 20 per cent funding from South Dublin County Council.”

Tánaiste Fitzgerald said the funding will provide older people and people with a disability, with the opportunity to continue independent living in their own homes for as long as possible.