Laois is to receive state funding of €229,817 to improve housing stock for older people and people with a disability.
This funding for Laois comes as part of an €18 million nationwide package announced by Government to improve housing conditions.
The news have been roundly welcomed by local politicians with Minister for State Sean Fleming, Senator Fiona O’Loughlin and TD Charlie Flanagan all explaining how it will help improve the lives of some of the county’s most vulnerable people.
Deputy Fleming said: “The Disabled Persons Grant scheme provides funding for extensions and adaptations to existing social housing stock for older people and people with a disability such as grab rails, disabled access ramps, wet rooms, downstairs bedrooms etc. The scheme also provides extensions in cases of overcrowding.
“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.”
TD Flanagan said: “The Disabled Persons Grant Scheme and the Improvement Works in Lieu of Local Authority Housing Scheme are administered directly by Laois County Council.
“Exchequer funding meets 90% of the cost of the works in each property, with the local authority providing the remaining 10%. In total 229,817 is granted under the two schemes for the area covered by Laois County Council
“The DPG Scheme provides funding for extensions and adaptations to existing social housing stock for older people and people with a disability and is designed to help make life at home a little easier.
“For example the funding can be used for items such as grab rails, disabled access ramps, wet rooms, setting up a bedroom downstairs etc. The scheme also provides extensions in cases of overcrowding in a home.
“In addition, funding is provided under the Improvement Works in Lieu of social housing scheme (IWILs). This allows local authorities to improve or extend privately owned accommodation, where the applicant has been approved for social housing.
“It allows those who are otherwise eligible for social housing to remain in private housing and for enhancements to that housing.
“This funding is designed to improve housing conditions for those who need it most and will help people to live independently in their own homes for longer.”
While Senator O’Loughlin, who comes from Rathangan in Kildare, said: “I am delighted to welcome this funding today which will improve the quality of life of many people in Laois.
“The DPG scheme provides funding for extensions and adaptations to existing social housing stock for older people and people with a disability such as grab rails, disabled
access ramps, wet rooms, downstairs bedrooms etc.
“The scheme also provides extensions in cases of overcrowding. The IWIL scheme allows local authorities to improve or extend privately owned accommodation, where the applicant has been approved for social housing.
“It allows those who are otherwise eligible for social housing to remain in private housing and for enhancements to be made to that. Funding has been increasing year on year under this scheme and this year’s allocation is a 19% increase on 2019 levels.
“It is a clear demonstration of the Government’s commitment to improving the lives of older people and people with a disability. These grants are administered directly by Laois County Council.”
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