Irish Minister of State, Tony Killeen has said the Government remains committed to assisting older people or people with a disability to remain in their own homes.

His comment follows the allocation of €3,125,000 to Clare County Council under the Housing Adaptation Grants Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability for 2010.

Minister Killeen described it as a worthwhile scheme as it provided invaluable assistance to older people and people with a disability living in private houses.

"I am delighted, against the backdrop of the tight constraints on the public finances, that the Government has announced this record level of funding for the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability," he said.

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"The Government remains very committed to facilitating the continued occupancy of their own homes by older people and people with a disability.

"A great many people require only very modest supports to continue living independently, close to their families and friends, provided their accommodation is secure and appropriate to their needs."

Minister of State Killeen noted the high level of activity nationally under the grant schemes in 2009 with over 11,400 grants paid to applicants.

Mr Killeen continued: "We have just experienced the toughest winter for 50 years and I am pleased to say that around 4,300 older people received assistance to improve their homes last year. The Government wishes to continue the great progress made since these new grant schemes were introduced just over 2 years ago. The €100m announced nationally by my colleague Michael Finneran, Minister for Housing, Urban Renewal and Developing Areas, will ensure this objective is realised."

(NS/BMCC)