Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 June 2024
159. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if the additional needs payment could be used to cover a shortfall for an individual who has applied for a housing adaptation grant from their local authority and cannot afford the shortfall between the grant allocation and costs of works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26653/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing Adaptation Grants are funded 80% by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with a 20% contribution from the resources of Local Authorities. The grants are administered by Local Authorities and have various measures attached such as means testing and maximum payments, as part of the framework of the scheme.
Responsibility in relation to supports for housing adaptions, for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for the accommodation needs of a person with a disability, including any shortfalls in funding, is a matter for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the relevant Local Authority.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. However, Additional Needs Payments are not generally intended to cover circumstances where responsibility rests with another Government Department or Agency.
Where a person is unable to meet the requirements for the grant, they should discuss any other options available to them with their Local Authority.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
