Kilkenny gets €2m funding in home improvement grants for elderly and disabled
JUST under €2 million will be provided to improve the homes of the elderly and people with disabilities across Kilkenny city and county.
The funding announcement was made by local TD and Minister John Paul Phelan and is part of more than €71 million which has been set aside nationally by the Government.
In Kilkenny, the local authority will receive a total of €1,922,638 for the home improvement grants.
Welcoming the funding, Minister Phelan said: “These Housing Adaptations Grants for Older People and People with a Disability target people living in private houses. The increased funding supports home adaptations for older people, people with a disability and people with mobility issues. It will help older people and people with disabilities to remain living independently in their own homes for longer and will also facilitate early return from hospital.
“The overall fund has been increased by 8% in 2019. All local authorities, including Kilkenny, will be getting an increase in 2019 compared to their 2018 allocation. Last year these grants assisted over 9,400 households and this year we expect that some 11,800 households will benefit from the schemes.”
Grants of up to €30,000 are available to assist people with a disability in carrying out necessary works to make a house more suitable to their needs. Funding of up to €8,000 is available to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. And some €6,000 has been allocated for mobility aids.
Minister Phelan (pictured below) said the grants also create employment opportunities for builders and local businesses and help reduce the dependency on our health services by supporting independent living for as long as possible.
