Big rise in Laois grants for elderly and disability homes

Laois County Council is getting an increase of just over a third in funding given to help elderly people and those with disabilities to make their homes more liveable.

The Government has allocated €1,861,224 in Housing Adaptation Grants to Laois for 2025. A local authority top-up of €328,451 will bring the total spend to almost €2.2 million on local property.

The Government rise was outlined to the Leinster Express / Laois Live by Laois TDs Sean Fleming and Willie Aird.

“This 36% major increase in funding this year is up from €1,368,871 in 2024. This will help more people in Laois who need housing adaption grants approved and works to be carried out this year,” said Dep Fleming.

The Fianna Fáil TD called on people with needs to apply.

“I would urge people who are waiting on these grants or want to apply for works to be carried out to contact Laois County Council to discuss their requirements so that these improvements can be carried out to help them live in comfort in their own home,” he said.

The funding was also welcomed by Fine Gael TD Willie Aird.

“This funding will ensure 13,000 older people and disabled people to live independently in their own homes across Ireland, many of them in Laois.

“I've met many and supported grant recipients across our county, and I've witnessed first-hand the huge difference it has made in empowering older and disabled people to live independently at home in their own communities for longer.

“I also want to thank Laois County Council who work hard to administer the grants, assess applications, and arrange home inspections where adaptations are proposed,” he said.

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The following are some of the uses for the grant scheme: Accessible bathroom facilities, accessible showers, stair lifts, grab rails, adding downstairs bedrooms and bathrooms, ramps for improving access to homes.

Overall, the Government has provided an increase in this fund of over 30% nationwide. This represents our commitment to helping people live in comfort in their own homes, and these grants are a vital part of this.

As of April, Laois Council has received 170 grants under the scheme with 103 paid. Just over €570 k has been paid out with 166 applications at work stage.

The total value of applications to Laois County Council at the work stage was just over €1 million.

Most of the money, €603k, already allocated to work in Laois this year will be spent on adaptions for homes for people with disabilities.

Housing Aid for Older People Grant represents €403 k of the total funds being spent in Laois already in 2025. County Council data shows that the Mobility Aid Grant represents just over €24k of committed spend.