Minister of State and Fianna Fail T.D. for Clare, Mr. Tony Killeen has received confirmation that EUR633,750 has been allocated to Clare County Council under the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability.The funding is additional to the EUR1,490,000 announced by Michael Finneran T.D., Minister for Housing & Local Services last May and represents a significant increase on the amount of funding received by Clare in 2008. The latest capital funding allocation will be utilised for the payment of Housing Adaptation Grants for People with a Disability, Housing Aids for Older People, and Mobility Aids Grant.
According to Minister of State Killeen, “The Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability are very worthwhile as they provide invaluable assistance to older people and people with a disability living in private houses. Most importantly they help them to live in their own communities with the dignity that they deserve. The grant schemes are currently being evaluated by the Centre for Housing Research with a view to ensuring that the grant measures are targeted at those in most need and that householders can access grant assistance in a timely and uncomplicated manner.”
He added, “There was a high level of activity in County Clare under these grant schemes in 2008. I believe that the substantial increase in funding this year in comparison to 2008 will ensure that record numbers of applicants will avail of grant assistance. The increase in the grant levels and the targeting of resources to those most in need will ensure that the grants will continue to address the housing needs of a number of vulnerable sections of our community. This level of funding also demonstrates the Government’s ongoing commitment to improving the housing conditions of older people and people with a disability”.
