“€14m being made available to Councils to improve homes for people with disabilities and older people”
South Dublin County Council should access a national fund of €14m to improve the homes of people with disabilities and those of older people, according to Dublin South West Independent Minister, Katherine Zappone.
Minister Zappone says the fund is being made available to allow for improvements such as grab rails, disabled access ramps, wet rooms in local social housing. The Government will pay 90% of the cost of any approved improvements, with Councils providing the remaining 10%.
Welcoming the announcement Minister Zappone added: “Living in your own home in your local community is the best comfort and security we can offer people with disabilities and older people. This fund will allow that to happen. The improvements to homes will make them safer, accessible and secure. There are two other important situations whereby works can be approved. Firstly in cases of overcrowding to allow for extra space and comfort. Secondly work can be permitted on a private dwelling when a person has been granted social housing but no house is available.
This allows people to remain in private housing while their needs are met without increasing the strain on current social housing stock. The money being made available represents a significant increase of €2m on last year.
South Dublin County Council should ensure that our local communities get a fair share of the additional funding – and that it benefits those in the greatest need. Anyone who requires further information should contact their Council directly.
