More than €4 million has been allocated to the Galway’s local authorities for housing adaptation grants to enable older people and those with disabilities or mobility issues to continue living independently in their own homes.
The Galway County Council has received more than €2.9 million, while €1.15 million has been allocated for the Galway City Council. The funding is part of a €75 million investment across the State in housing adaptation.
The grants are 80 per cent funded by the Department of Housing, while the remaining 20 per cent is provided by the local authority. Grants of up to €30,000 are available for works to make houses suitable for the needs of people with disabilities; €8,000 can be provided for older people to carry out repairs and improvements to ensure their accommodation is safe and appropriate for their needs; and €6,000 is available for mobility aids.
Independent living
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The allocations have been welcomed by Fine Gael Galway West TD and Minister of State, Hildegarde Naughton, as “positive news”.
“The main benefit of this scheme is to empower vulnerable people to choose where and how they wish to live,” she said, “and to adapt their homes to ensure their comfort and safety. The secondary benefit is in enabling vulnerable people to remain in their homes rather than requiring residential care or longer hospital stays.”
Minister Naughton said the allocations would also “act as a welcome stimulus” for tradespeople and the local construction sector, while also creating employment opportunities.
