Senator Aisling Dolan - Strong Voice, New Vision.
Galway County Council will receive funding to provide home adaptations for older people and those living with disability and mobility issues, a Fine Gael Senator has said.
Senator Dolan said, “I am delighted that my colleagues, Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Peter Burke TD, and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD have announced a €75m fund for Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability.
“These grants are important as they help our older citizens and those with disabilities and mobility issues in Co. Galway to remain living independently in their own homes for longer should they wish and will also facilitate early return from hospital. As a Councillor and now as a Senator I’ve received many requests for information on housing adaptation from people in need of support and this fund will now mean more resources available to help older people living on their own in our towns and villages.
“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.
“Co. Galway will receive a combined total of €2,920,479 to support people in Co. Galway 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 to assist older people to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out and up to €6,000 for mobility aids.
Senator Dolan concluded “These grants can help create employment opportunities for builders and businesses in Co. Galway 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.”
Announcing the funding, Minister 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 an 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
