The Irish government has announced plans to significantly increase grant limits and income thresholds for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O'Brien TD, Minister of State for Local Government and Planning Alan Dillon TD, and Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan TD made the announcement today, following the publication of a review report recommending these changes.

The proposed amendments, which include a more than 30% increase in grant limits and a 25% increase in income thresholds, aim to make the scheme more accessible to those in need. Additionally, the report recommends reducing the local authority funding contribution to 15% and implementing several changes to the means test.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will now move forward with implementing these recommendations through a statutory instrument. The revised scheme is expected to be introduced in the first quarter of 2025.

Commenting Minister O'Brien said: "I fully support the recommendations of this important review which will have a real and positive impact on the lives of older and disabled people. Since this Government has taken office we have increased the funding of these grants by over 27% from €73M in 2020 to more than €93M in 2024. This review, the first in more than a decade, will ensure that even more people are eligible to apply. These grants are a lifeline for many families and individuals – meaning they can live independently, in the comfort of their own communities, for as long as possible."

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Minister Dillon emphasised: "The changes announced today following the recommendations of the review will improve the lives of many of the most vulnerable in our society to live longer more independent lives. As the Minister of State with responsibility for housing for older people and disabled people, I am fully committed to supporting individuals to remain at home and within their own communities for as long as possible. The Review Report published today will inform the changes needed to facilitate this goal for many of our citizens and broaden the amount of support we can give to those who most need it in communities throughout the country."

Minister Noonan added: "Today, I am very pleased to welcome these changes as a clear reflection of this Government's commitment to this scheme as these grants are so fundamental in aiding older and disabled people in their daily lives. These grants have such a positive impact on the home life of the beneficiaries and play a vital role in helping disabled people and older people to continue to live independently in their own homes. The amendments to the income thresholds means that more people will be eligible to apply for the grants, while the increase in the maximum grant levels will provide enhanced financial support to eligible households."

Housing Adaptation Grants assist with the necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works in order to make the accommodation more suitable to the needs of older and disabled people supporting them to live in their homes. The Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme includes three distinct grants, namely the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant.

Over 13,000 grants were paid in 2023. Since the launch of the scheme in November 2007, significantly increased levels of activity continue to be experienced by local authorities with over 150,000 grants being paid to older people and disabled people. This has facilitated those applicants to remain in their own homes and communities, and in many cases preventing premature entry to residential care.