Cavan Co Co get funding boost under Disabled Persons Grant Scheme

County Cavan is to receive state funding of €195,559 to improve housing stock for older people and people with a disability.

Minister for Housing, Darragh O'Brien, announced details of The Disabled Persons Grant Scheme (DPG) which will see Cavan County Council receive a preliminary departmental allocation of €195,559 with the local authority chipping in 10% (€21,729) for a total spend of €217,287.

The funding is part of an €18 million nationwide package announced by Government to improve housing conditions.

Fianna Fail Deputy Brendan Smith welcomed the allocation saying it will facilitate vital improvement works to social housing “This funding is designed to improve housing conditions for those who need it most and helps people live independently in their own homes.”

Also commenting on the announcement Minister Heather Humphreys explained that the DPG Scheme provides funding for extensions and adaptations to existing social housing stock for older people and people with a disability and is designed to help make life at home a little easier.

Minister Humphreys said: “The funding can be used for items such as grab rails, disabled access ramps, wet rooms, setting up a bedroom downstairs etc. The scheme also provides extensions in cases of overcrowding in a home.”

Funding is provided under the Improvement Works in Lieu of social housing scheme (IWILs). This allows local authorities to improve or extend privately owned accommodation, where the applicant has been approved for social housing. It allows those who are otherwise eligible for social housing to remain in private housing and for enhancements to that housing.

Minister Humphreys concluded: “As Minister O’Brien has said it will also address issues of overcrowding in existing social housing stock, while improvement works on private homes in lieu of social housing also provides an alternative for those currently experiencing overcrowding in private accommodation.”