Local Minister Darragh O’Brien TD has approved funding of more than €500,000 for the Disabled Persons Grant scheme (DPG) and Improvement Works in Lieu of social housing scheme (IWILs) in Fingal.
Exchequer funding meets 90% of the cost with the local authority providing the remaining 10%, meaning the combined total of funding for works in Fingal is €558,051.78 The DPG scheme provides funding for extensions and adaptations to existing social housing stock for older people and people with a disability such as grab rails, disabled access ramps, wet rooms, downstairs bedrooms etc. The scheme also provides extensions in cases of overcrowding. The Improvement Works in Lieu of social housing scheme (IWILs) allows local authorities to improve or extend privately owned accommodation, where the applicant has been approved for social housing. It allows those who are otherwise eligible for social housing to remain in private housing and for enhancements to that housing. Welcoming the funding Minister O’Brien said, “This will greatly improve the housing conditions for our older tenants and those living with disabilities. It will also address issues of overcrowding in existing social housing stock, while improvement works on private homes in lieu of social housing also provides an alternative for those currently experiencing overcrowding in private accommodation. “These grants have a huge impact on the quality of life of the many beneficiaries and play a vitally important role in helping people with a disability and people who are reaching an age in life when they are less mobile, to continue to live independently in their own homes. “Funding has been increasing year on year under this scheme and this year’s allocation is a 19% increase on 2019 levels. It is a clear demonstration of the Government’s commitment to improving the lives of older people and people with a disability,” the Minister concluded. ENDS Notes to Editor:
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD has today (9 September) approved funding of approximately €18 million for the Disabled Persons Grant scheme (DPG) and Improvement Works In Lieu of social housing scheme (IWILs).
The DPG scheme provides funding for extensions and adaptations to existing social housing stock for older people and people with a disability such as grab rails, disabled access ramps, wet rooms, downstairs bedrooms etc. The scheme also provides extensions in cases of overcrowding. The Improvement Works in Lieu of social housing scheme (IWILs) allows local authorities to improve or extend privately owned accommodation, where the applicant has been approved for social housing. It allows those who are otherwise eligible for social housing to remain in private housing and for enhancements to that housing. Welcoming the funding Minister O’Brien said, “This will greatly improve the housing conditions for our older tenants and those living with disabilities. It will also address issues of overcrowding in existing social housing stock, while improvement works on private homes in lieu of social housing also provides an alternative for those currently experiencing overcrowding in private accommodation. “These grants have a huge impact on the quality of life of the many beneficiaries and play a vitally important role in helping people with a disability and people who are reaching an age in life when they are less mobile, to continue to live independently in their own homes. “Funding has been increasing year on year under this scheme and this year’s allocation is a 19% increase on 2019 levels. It is a clear demonstration of the Government’s commitment to improving the lives of older people and people with a disability,” the Minister concluded. ENDS Notes to Editor:
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD and Barry Andrews MEP met today to discuss a number of key housing policies. They discussed the many funding measures, soft law initiatives and regulations originating in the European Union which impact on member state housing policies. Speaking following the meeting Minister O’Brien said, “I was very grateful to meet with Barry Andrews today. While housing policy is a matter for each member state it is very useful to get a European perspective from our Dublin MEP. “Access to good-quality housing to purchase or rent at an affordable price, built to a high standard and located close to essential services is a cornerstone of the Programme for Government and the same can be said across various member states also. “Barry’s insights in terms of over-arching EU initiatives, regulations and funding opportunities are invaluable and I hope to continue collaborating with him into the future. Barry Andrews MEP said, “As MEP for Dublin I am acutely aware of the impact the housing crisis is having on people. Despite not having any direct role in the housing policies of member states there are many compatible EU programmes which will impact on such policies. In particular, I have discussed with the Minister the need for further EU exemptions on State Aid rules regarding investment in social housing. “Another promising future EU-level initiative to address housing affordability in Europe is the InvestEU Programme146, which will bring together under one roof the multitude of EU financial instruments currently available. Investments in social housing, including energy efficient social housing projects are one of the areas addressed by the programme,” concluded Barry Andrews MEP. Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien has welcomed the first meeting of the National Coastal Change Management Strategy Steering Group.
The group, tasked with considering the development of an integrated, whole of Government coastal change strategy, will report to Government within six months with initial findings and recommendations. Speaking following their first meeting Minister O’Brien said, “Coming from a constituency which has been, and continues to be greatly impacted by coastal erosion, I understand the grave challenges this presents and the importance of the work to be carried out by this group. “The group will examine how Ireland can best manage our coastline and mitigate the risks from rising sea levels and more frequent extreme sea events. We will work closely with the OPW which have previously undertaken work in this regard. “For those living in coastal communities, such as Portrane in North Co. Dublin, coastal erosion is already having a profound impact. Around Ireland, it’s projected that by 2050, the impact of coastal erosion could potentially affect up to 2 million people who live within 5km of the coast, all the major cities, and much of the country’s industry and infrastructure and utilities, including transport, electricity and water supplies. “The work of this group cannot be underestimated and that is why a number of Departments are represented on this group. I look forward to working closely with them and reporting our recommendations to Government,” he concluded. |
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November 2023
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