€135,958 in housing adaptation grants to older people and people with disabilities living in social housing in Limerick was not drawn down last year.
That’s according to Limerick Sinn Féin TD, Maurice Quinlivan who said that the grant limits are currently too low for works to be feasible. This meant that people are unable to carry out much-needed adaptations to make their homes more accessible.
“The Disabled Persons Grants scheme is meant to be a lifeline to enable older people and people with disabilities carry out necessary adaptations so that they can remain living in their own homes,” Deputy Quinlivan explained.
“However, figures obtained by Sinn Féin show that huge portions of the sums allocated are not being drawn down.
“In 2022, a funding allocation of €756,810 was made to Limerick but just €620,852 was drawn down. This meant that €135,958 in available funding was not used.
“People in Limerick who need these adaptations are unable to have them carried out and the money is gathering dust.
“It is likely that much of this is due to the fact the amounts awarded are so low that they aren’t feasible due to rising construction costs caused by inflation.
“The scheme hasn’t keep pace with these costs and, in the meantime, much-needed adaptations can’t go ahead.
“The Department of Housing and Limerick City and County Council must look into this issue urgently, to ensure that the scheme can operate as intended without delay.
“Many people in Limerick have been waiting for long periods for approval for these grants which would make a major difference to their quality of life and ensure that they are safe in their homes. They are approved for grants, only to find that the work is unable to be delivered. They need clarity about when the flaws in this scheme will be resolved,” Deputy Quinlivan added.
