Ministers O’Brien and Dillon introduce revised Housing Adaptation Grants of up to €40,000

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, and Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Alan Dillon TD 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.