Regulations have been signed to bring fixed track hoists within the scope of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Schemes.

Grants of up to €30,000 are available to assist people with a disability in carrying out necessary works to make a house more suitable for their needs. Additionally grants of up to €6,000 are available for mobility aids. These schemes can now be used to cover the cost of installing a fixed track hoist.

Funding of over €83 million is being made available by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for these grants in 2023.

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Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, said: "I know just how important these grants are for people and I am delighted that I could extend the schemes to cover fixed track hoists which will benefit both the person with a disability and their carer. The €83M allocation for this year will build on the success of last year where we exceeded the number of home adaptations initially targeted."

Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Kieran O'Donnell TD, said: "I very much welcome that fixed track hoists will now be covered under the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes. These grants have a huge bearing on the home life of the many beneficiaries and play a critical role in helping disabled people and people who are reaching an age in life when they are less mobile, to continue to live independently in their own homes."

The change announced to these schemes, which supports home adaptations for older people, people with a disability and people with mobility issues, will be funded through 80% exchequer funding through the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, with the remaining 20% in funding coming from the relevant local authority.