Over €55 million has been announced for housing adaptions for older people and people living with a disability in private properties.

A total of €56.25m has been made available which will allow extensions to be built for people with a disability, as well as housing adaptations to improve mobility aid.

The funding represents an increase of €5.75m on the funding allocated for 2015. Every local authority will get more funding allocated for housing adaptation grants in 2016 than they actually spent in 2015. By making the allocation in February, local authorities will be in a better position to maximize their spend on these works which will help more elderly and vulnerable people.

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The grants are 80% funded from the exchequer by the Department of Environment, Community & Local Government, with 20% funding from the relevant local authority. Grants are payable in the main to owner-occupied housing.

Also eligible are houses being purchased under the tenant purchase scheme, private rented accommodation, accommodation provided under voluntary housing schemes and accommodation occupied by persons living in communal residences.

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.