Clare County Council will receive over €2 million funding to provide home adaptations for older people and those living with disability and mobility issues, local TD Joe Carey confirmed today.
The local Fine Gael TD after Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien this morning unveiled a €75m fund for Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability.
Deputy Carey said: “These grants are important as they help our older citizens and those with disabilities and mobility issues in Clare to remain living independently in their own homes for longer should they wish and will also facilitate early return from hospital.
“The grants are 80% funded from the exchequer by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, with 20% funding from the relevant local authority.
“Clare County Council will receive a combined total of €2,239,630 to support people in Clare with the repairs and other adaptations they need to live in their homes, which is most welcome.”
Grants of up to €30,000 are available to help people with a disability in carrying out works required to make a house more suitable for their needs. Up to €8,000 funding is available to assist older people to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out and up to €6,000 for mobility aids.
Deputy Carey added: “These grants can help create employment opportunities for builders and businesses in Clare and help reduce the dependency on our health services by supporting independent living for as long as possible.
“Minister O’Brien also stated that while the current shutdown in construction activity remains in place, people should know that housing adaptation works can continue with the consent of the homeowner and once public health guidelines are adhered to.”
Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Peter Burke, said: “I am pleased that funding for our Local Authorities to administer this scheme has been increasing year on year since 2014. This shows the importance that is attached to the scheme and the Government’s commitment to older people and those with a disability.
“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.
“As Minister of State with responsibility for housing for older people and people with a disability, I am fully committed to assisting individuals to stay in their own homes and within their own communities for as long as possible and these allocations today will facilitate this goal for many” he concluded.
