Minister Jan O'Sullivan has allocated €38.4m to local authorities for a range of private housing grants in 2014.

The increased funding supports home adaptations for older people, people with a disability and people with mobility issues.

Commenting on the allocation, the Minister said: "Last year the budget allocation for these grants was €34.2m. I am pleased to be in a position to increase that funding by 11% in 2014 to €38m. Every local authority has increased funding for grants compared to the initial allocation in 2013. Last year these grants assisted 7011 households and this year I expect that some 7800 households will benefit from the schemes."

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The Minister also stated that in line with practice in 2013 she expects to be in a position to make an additional allocation to these grants later in 2014. "Through the careful management of my Department's budget €2.2m in additional funds were made available to local authorities for these schemes in July 2013. I will be applying the same rigour to my Department's capital budget this year and additional funding for these grants will be a priority for savings identified mid-year."

(CD/JP)