394. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to review the operation of the cost-rental scheme for tenants who suffer catastrophic, life-changing injuries after entering the scheme; the reason there is no legislative provision or policy within the cost-rental scheme to protect tenants whose circumstances change due to permanent disability or catastrophic injury; if he has considered introducing a mechanism that allows cost-rental tenants in exceptional circumstances to move to suitable accessible accommodation without losing the benefits of the scheme; the supports available to assist people with permanent disabilities who need to purchase an accessible home when existing housing schemes do not provide accommodation that meets their long-term needs; if he will consider a scheme allowing the State or local authority to purchase a suitable accessible home in exceptional cases where the individual has a pending personal injury claim that is expected to fund the purchase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52806/26]

395. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to review existing housing policy to ensure that people who become permanently disabled are not left trapped in unsuitable accommodation because of current housing schemes (details supplied) and the lack of flexibility to respond to life-changing circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52807/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 394 and 395 together.

It is understood that housing needs and personal circumstances can change over time. Where a household's circumstances have changed significantly since entering a Cost Rental tenancy, tenants should engage with their Local Authority to explore housing supports available and options that may be better suited to their current needs.

These options could include, for example, the Housing Assistance Payment in cases where disability had led to a loss of income and difficulty affording the cost-covering rent. It could also include applying for social housing support with medical priority on the basis of their disability, subject to the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended. In some scenarios, a Cost Rental tenancy may no longer be the most appropriate housing solution for an individual.

While Cost Rental homes may be provided by Approved Housing Bodies, Local Authorities, or the Land Development Agency, the Cost Rental model is distinct from the provision of social housing. Cost Rental tenancies are generally intended to operate in a manner similar to standard residential tenancies, and are therefore subject to the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 and the jurisdiction of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).

Supports available through Local Authorities include the means-tested Housing Adaptation Grant for Disabled People. This is a grant for the carrying out of adaptation works that, in the opinion of the Local Authority, are reasonably necessary for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for a member of the household who has an enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual disability. In general, these grant schemes can be used for works such as level access showers, accessible bathrooms, access ramps, stair lifts, fixed track hoists, or extensions.

As with other residential tenancies, there is not an obligation on a Cost Rental landlord to provide a dwelling that has been specifically adapted to meet the changed needs of a person with a disability. Any adaptations to a property are ordinarily a matter to be agreed between the tenant and the landlord, with the landlord's consent required for works to be carried out. In practice, Cost Rental landlords may seek to accommodate such requests where reasonably possible, having regard to the circumstances of the tenancy and the property concerned.

Where a Cost Rental tenant wishes to purchase a home more suitable to their needs, they can benefit from the range of Starter Home purchase supports: Help to Buy, the Starter Home Purchase Scheme, and the First Home Scheme. Information is available online at www.gov.ie/starterhomesupports. A number of these schemes can be combined, thereby providing additional affordability support.