Budget 2025: Housing adaptation grants to be increased says Tipperary councillor
Fianna Fáil county councillor Imelda Goldsboro welcomes the confirmation that grants for housing adaptations will be increased in this years budget
The Tipperary councillor welcomed the news that the Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien intends to increase grant limits by over 30% and the income thresholds by 25% for those applying for support under the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme.
REPORT
This news comes after a report was undertaken into the review of the housing adaptation grants scheme. The report on the Review of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme recommended an increase in grant limits in excess of 30% and an increase in income thresholds of 25%.
Commenting on the news councillor Goldsboro said: “Having called for an increase to both the grant limits and the thresholds for some time now I am delighted to see that Minister O'Brien has received Cabinet approval to do just that. Grant limits will increase by €10,000 in some circumstances which will be welcome news to many.
“I am particularly pleased to hear that the means testing arrangements will also be amended so that just the owner/tenant and their spouse will be assessed and that a person’s income ‘in year’ can be taken account of in certain circumstances.
“These grants are a lifeline for many families and individuals. The ESRI projections indicate that the numbers of people aged over 65 will more than double to 1.3 million people by 2040. As more people live longer lives, they will want to stay healthy and independent, live in their own homes and communities and keep to a minimum their use of in-patient and out-patient hospital services".