Fine Gael Cllr Thomasina Connell has called on Laois County Council write to Minister Darragh O’Brien at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Cllr Connell believes that both the thresholds and the amount be increased for both the Housing Adaptation Grant for Older and
People with a Disability.
The motion was raised at the monthly meeting of the County Council this week in Council HQ in Portlaoise.
Under the grants, funding of of up to €30,000 is available to assist people with a disability in carrying out necessary works to make a house more suitable for their needs.
Grants of up to €8,000 are available to assist older people to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out on their homes.
Grants of up to €6,000 are also available for mobility aids.
Cllr Connell pointed out that these amounts have not been reviewed in ten years.
“As everyone knows, the price of everything has gone up, but in particular, building materials,” the Cllr said.
“People might not have the extra money to bridge the gap between €8,000 and the cost of actually (getting the work done).
“Maybe they don’t have savings; and in particular, if they are older people, they’re not going to be able to get finance.
“I think it is really important to help older people to stay in their own homes for longer periods of time and remain independent.
“Similarly, I think the thresholds on the grants also need to be reviewed, because if a household earns more than €60,000 then there is no grant payable.
“Therefor, some households are ruled out automatically who may not have savings to undertake the repair.”
Sinn Féin Cllr, Caroline Dwane Stanley strongly supported the motion, saying: “It is vital and essential that we do everything we can in our power to keep our most vulnerable in a position where they can live comfortably in their own homes, particularly the elderly and those with disabilities.”
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