Munster Express Online

Record funding has been allocated for housing adaptation grants for older people and people with a disability this year, according to local Fianna Fáil TD Bobby Aylward.

“Just over €1.86 million has been allocated by the Minister for Housing and Local Services Michael Finneran TD under the Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme for Older

People and People with a Disability. This is an increase of over €800,000 on last year’s allocation for County Kilkenny. Nationally, an unprecedented €100 million is being made available. This is a 31% increase in the initial allocation to local authorities last year. This adaptation scheme is vitally important in assisting older people and people with a disability to continue living in their own homes. Eligible works under the scheme include provision of level access showers, the installation of stair lifts, grab rails, and access ramps. The Mobility Aids Grant Scheme is available to fast track grants of up to €6,000 to address the mobility problems of a member of a household. In the case of older people, a grant of up to €10,500 is available to assist householders to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out to their homes. More than 130,000 people have received payments under the scheme since it was introduced by the Government in 1997. Last year alone some 11,400 grants were paid to applicants. While the works are small they can make a considerable difference to the standard of living for many people. It is the priority of the Government, with the different assists available, to help people to live in their own homes, amongst their own communities and friends, for as long as they can. These small works also provide some much needed employment in our local communities and this is just one of the elements of the Government’s job stimulus plan to keep people working. Funding allocated under the scheme is in addition to expenditure by local authorities on improving and extending their own social housing stock also.