Increases to Housing Adaption Grants and eligibility criteria will benefit older people and those with a disability in Cork, Fine Gael General Election Candidate for Cork North West Cllr. John Paul O’Shea has said.
Cork County Council currently has funding for the grant of €7.9m for 2024. This is significant news and is a further example of Fine Gael supporting people with housing.
The reform to the scheme will see grant limits increase by over 30% and the income thresholds will increase by 25%.
The housing grant for people with disabilities will see an increase to the maximum grant by €10,000 to €40,000.
The revised maximum grant for older people will increase to €10,700, up from €8,000and the mobility maximum grant will be €8,000, up from €6,000.
The income thresholds will also increase and changes to means-testing will also see more people being eligible for the support.
Under the new plans which are expected to take effect from early 2025, the revised means test will assess just the owner and their spouse and no longer all other adult members of the household.
It comes after the work of Fine Gael Minister of State Alan Dillon TD, who has responsibility for housing older people and people with a disability.
Cllr. O’Shea said: “I am delighted that more people in Cork will now benefit from the Housing Adaption Grant following today’s cabinet decision.
“Fine Gael will always fight for people with disabilities and older people, particularly when it comes to housing.
“Our party is committed to supporting people who need it most, and the changes to this vital grant is another example of this.
“This is further evidenced by Cork County Council having a budget of €7.9m for the grant in 2024, and I am calling for this to be further boosted in budget 2025, to help more people live independently in their own homes within their own communities.
“I know from engaging with people across Cork County the positive impact the Housing Adaption Grant can have for older people or people with disabilities and these changes reflect that.
“I would encourage anyone in Cork who feels they or a family member would benefit from this grant to contact their local authority,” Cllr. O’Shea concluded.
