The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, and Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Alan Dillon jointly announced the publication of Regulations giving effect to the recommendations in the recently published ‘Report on the Review of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability’.
The Housing (Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People) Regulations 2024 provide the legal basis for the introduction of the recommendations set out in the recently completed review.
The key changes include an increase in the grant limits of over 30%, an increase of 25% in the income thresholds for eligibility. The legislation also adjusts the burden sharing for local authorities by reducing the local authority funding contribution to 15% (from the existing 20%) together with a number of amendments to the means test. Key changes in the Regulations include:
- an increase in the maximum level of Housing Adaption Grant for Disabled People to €40,000 (an increase of €10,000
- an increase in the maximum level of the Housing Aid for Older People Grant to €10,700 (an increase of €2,700); and
- an increase in the maximum level of the Mobility Aid Grant of €8,000 (an increase of €2,000)
The new scheme will commence from 1 December 2024 and all applications submitted on or after that date will be considered under the revised scheme. New application forms will be available from local authorities from 1 December.
Commenting today, Minister O’Brien said:
“I am delighted to bring forwarded these changes which will make real and significant impact on the lives of older and disabled people and will ensure that the grants are fit for purpose. I’ve also announced an increase of €25 million on last years’ budget to support these changes. 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 – something which we know many people, and their loved ones, want.”
Minister Dillon emphasised:
“The changes announced today will improve the lives of many of the most vulnerable people in our society to live 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 through these revised grants. The Regulations published today and the additional funding announced last month will support local authorities to facilitate this goal for many of our citizens.”
Over 13,000 grants were paid in 2023. So far this year over 11,000 grants have been paid. Since the launch of the scheme in November 2007, significantly increased levels of activity continue to be experienced by local authorities with over 160,000 grants being paid to older people and disabled people. This has facilitated those applicants to remain in their own homes and communities, and in the case of many older people preventing premature entry to residential care.
Notes
Housing (Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People) Regulations 2024
The Regulations provide for increases in the grant limits by over 30% (see also tables in Regulations) as follows:
- the Housing Adaptation Grant for Disabled People revised maximum grant is €40,000 (an increase of €10,000 from €30,000). In addition, there is a proposed minor amendment to the percentage of costs to increase it to 100% (from 95%). For those applicants who qualify at the lower end of the scale, the proposed revised grant limit amounts to €12,000 (increase of €3,000 from €9,000)
- the Housing Aid for Older People Grant revised maximum grant is €10,700 (increase of €2,700 from €8,000). In addition, the percentage of costs is proposed to increase to 100% (from 95%). For those applicants who qualify at the lower end of the scale, the proposed revised grant limit amounts to €3,210 (increase of €810 from €2,400)
- the Mobility Aids Grant revised maximum grant is €8,000 (increase of €2,000 from €6,000)
The Regulations also provide for the following:
- increases in the household income thresholds by 25% (see tables in Regulations)
- amendment of local authority contribution (reduced from 20% to 15% and corresponding increase in the Exchequer contribution to 85%))
- increase of maximum grants available for new builds (48.33% - 50%)
- household income reverts to 2007 definition – assessing just the homeowner and their spouse in owner occupied housing, and tenant and their spouse in private rented accommodation
- assessment of current year earnings in exceptional circumstances
- increase deductions:
- deductions for children (€5,000 - €6,250)
- deduction for full-time carers (€5,000 - €6,250)
- introduction of deductions:
- deductions for Housing Mortgage/Rent Expenses (up to €6,250)
- deductions for Residential Care fees (up to €12,500)
- deductions for Cost of Care in the Home (up to €12,500 or €6,250 if full-time carer deduction claimed)
- requirement to be registered with the Residential Tenancies Board
- express provision for new build housing at planning approved stage to qualify for grant application
- introduction for the requirement of an application to be approved before works commence and clarification of the number of grants which an applicant can be approved
- update of definition of spouse
- consolidation of existing regulations and update of titles
