Older and disabled people in Mayo to benefit from over €3.3m Housing Adaptation Grant funding
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, and Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Kieran O’Donnell, have announced €3.3m in funding for Housing Adaptation Grants for older and disabled people in Mayo in 2023.
Nationally, €83.125m has been allocated for these grants to benefit 12,300 people – a 2.3% increase on the 2022 initial allocation. This represents a continuation of the year-on-year increases in the grant since 2014.
This funding will help facilitate older people and disabled people in Mayo to live independently in their own homes. Of the 2023 funding allocation of €3.3m for Mayo, the exchequer will provide €2.64m and Mayo County Council will provide the remaining €660,771.
Commenting today, Minister O’Brien said: “I am delighted to allocate increased funding in 2023 to deliver Housing Adaptation Grants for older and disabled people in Mayo. This allocation will build on the success of last year, where we exceeded the number of home adaptations initially targeted nationally.
“We want to empower and enable people to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible – and these grants help us to do just that. They also provide a boost to the local economy in Mayo, creating employment opportunities for local contractors.”
Minister O’Donnell added: “I am pleased that funding for our local authorities to administer Housing Adaptation Grants has been increasing year-on-year since 2014. This government is committed to this scheme as it is essential in supporting older and disabled people in their daily lives. These grants have a huge bearing on the home life of their many beneficiaries and play a critical role in helping disabled people and those reaching an age when they are less mobile, to continue to live independently in their own homes.
“As Minister of State with responsibility for housing for older people and disabled people, I am fully committed to supporting individuals in Mayo to continue living independently at home and within their own communities. The funding announced today will facilitate this goal.”
Grants of up to €30,000 are available to assist disabled people in carrying out necessary works to make a house more suitable for their needs. Additionally, 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 available for mobility aids.
The funding announced today, which supports home adaptations for older people, those with a disability and people with mobility issues, provides 80% exchequer funding through the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The remaining 20% in funding comes from the relevant local authority.