Clare TD Tony Killeen has said the Government remains committed to assisting older people and people with a disability to stay in their own homes.

His comment follows the allocation of €1,490,000 to Clare Local Authorities under the Housing Adaptation Grants Scheme for 2009.

The allocation represents a 14% increase on the grant aid received by Clare last year.

Mr Killeen said: "The Housing Adaptation Grants Scheme is a worthwhile scheme as it provides invaluable assistance to older people and people with a disability living in private houses."

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The TD said he was delighted to learn of the high level of activity in Co Clare under the grant schemes in 2008.

"I believe that the substantial increase in funding will ensure that record numbers of applicants will avail of grant assistance this year.

"The increase in the grant levels and the targeting of resources to those most in need will ensure that the grants will continue to address the housing needs of a number of vulnerable sections of our community," he added.

Housing Minister Michael Finneran this week announced a national allocation of €79.56m under the Adaptation Grants scheme.

Expenditure under the Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability and the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme, during the lifetime of the Government, from 1997 to 2008, has totalled almost €652 million with more than 120,000 grants paid.

(PR/JM)