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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Housing adaptation grants review

Summary

Deputy Murphy pressed for action on the delayed review of housing adaptation grants, especially the income threshold. The Minister of State said the review had just arrived, was being considered urgently, and a decision would be made soon.

I want to ask the Taoiseach about the review of the housing adaptation grants for older people and people with a disability. A report on that review has been sitting on the desk of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage at least for a number of months. It looks at areas such as income thresholds, grant limits, decision-making processes, etc. It is an urgent issue. One key issue is that the income threshold is €60,000 gross for the entire family. If they go over the €60,000 limit, they cannot access this grant.

Many families, and I am dealing with one, are marginally over the €60,000 threshold so they do not qualify. They are paying mortgages. They are paying massive grocery bills, which we have just discussed. They do not qualify for the grant, but they also cannot afford to do the necessary work for their loved one to be able to live in appropriate circumstances with them. I ask the Taoiseach or the Minister for an update in relation to this and whether the threshold will be increased.

Comment on this
Kieran O'Donnell Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Fine Gael

I just received the proposal and the review that was carried out by the officials in the Department. I am considering it very carefully, along with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien. We intend to make a decision on that pretty quickly. As the Deputy will appreciate, it is something we are giving huge priority to. The housing adaptation grants for 2023 have just been announced. It is something that we are giving very careful consideration to.

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