Sinn Féin Councillor Pearse McGeough has welcomed the announcement of an increase in grant limits and income thresholds for those applying for Housing Adaptation Grants for older people, vulnerable people and those with a disability.

Cllr McGeough has been campaigning for many years for these changes citing the increased cost of materials and labour as one reason for changes and inflation as another.

“These Grants are essential for those who wish to remain independent in their own homes” Cllr McGeough said. “They can cover anything from a stair lift to a wet room, from an outside ramp to a downstairs bedroom or bathroom.

“This work can make the difference between someone being forced to stay in hospital or having to go into a nursing home, and being able to stay at home and remain independent.”

Cllr McGeough said “I have consistently been asking the Department to make more funds available for Louth as there is quite a backlog of these essential and urgent grants and also to look at the income thresholds and grant limits. I am pleased to welcome the announcement of the latter two following the recommendations in the review..

“With the raising of the income limits, this means that more people will be able to apply and the raising of the grant limit reflects a more realistic costing of the bigger applications. These limits have not been reviewed in over 10 years so it is a review that has been long overdue given the rising costs of materials and labour and inflation. It is hoped that these changes will be implemented in the first quarter of 2025.”

The full review is in the link below with all the suggested changes to the scheme.

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/ef265-ministers-obrien-and-dillon-announce-reforms-following-review-of-the-housing-adaptation-grants/