Funding of €23 million has officially been approved to upgrade social housing stock across Ireland, the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government announced yesterday (June 9).

This funding will be available to local authorities to carry out adaptations, extensions and other improvements to their existing social housing stock. This Disabled Persons Grant will ensure homes are adapted to allow older people and those with disabilities to continue living independently, while also providing funding for major modifications such as extensions to relieve overcrowding.

This scheme funds essential home modifications for people with mobility or disability needs. These include minor adaptations like stair-lifts, ramps, and grab rails, larger projects such as extensions to reduce overcrowding as well as creating accessible spaces like a downstairs bedroom, en suite or wet-room.

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Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne said: "This funding will significantly improve housing conditions for older tenants and those with disabilities. It will also help tackle overcrowding in social housing and offer an alternative for those currently living in overcrowded private accommodation.

"This scheme also clearly demonstrates this Government's commitment to enabling older and disabled people to continue to live independently."

The funding also extends to Improvement Works in Lieu scheme which allows works to be carried out on a privately owned house where the applicant has been approved for social housing.

The Disabled Persons Grant and Improvement Works in Lieu schemes are administered directly by local authorities. Under both schemes, exchequer funding meets 90% of the cost of the works in each property, with the local authority providing the remaining 10%.

Allocations to each local authority can be found here.