€15.3m approved for 2026 Dublin housing adaptation and disability grants
Over €15 million has been allocated toward disability and older people housing adaptation grants for 2026.
At last week’s Finance SPC, Administrative Officer with Dublin City Council Deirdre Cahill outlined the three grants available to help older people and those with disabilities make their privately owned homes safer and easier to get around. These include the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant, and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant.
With central government contributing 80-85% of the funds and the council covering the remainder, this year the department is putting forward €13,070,554 and Dublin City Council €2,306,568. Last year, 1285 grants were issued with a total spend of €11,667,521.
These grants aim to make life easier for some of Dublin’s most vulnerable residents and those looking to put in applications can be assisted by a Health Age Friendly Homes Co-ordinator. This co-ordinator can call out to people’s homes and help them with feeling out forms, as well as introducing them to services in the area that can assist them.
The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability provides people with the funds to modify their home for more appropriate living. This includes the provision of a ramp, grab rail, accessible shower or space for wheelchair access. It can also fund a home extension for a bedroom or bathroom to accommodate those with a disability.
Those with a yearly income of up to €37,500 could be eligible for 100% of the costs up to €40,000 for a home built more than 12 months ago or €20,000 for one built within the past 12 months. The maximum grant is gradually reduced up to an income of €75,000, after which applicants are no longer eligible.
The Mobility Aids Grant can cover 100% of the cost of the work, up to a maximum of €8,000 and only applies to households with a total income of less than €37,500. This can be used for grab rails, ramps, accessible showers, stairlifts, or fixed track hoists.
The Housing Aid for Older People Grant is for people over 66 or older, although sometimes it can be paid to people younger in cases of hardship. This can help with things like repairing or replacing a roof, upgrading electricity wiring, replacing doors or windows, and repairing heating. Grants are not available to buy new fossil fuel boilers.
Ms Cahill stressed that always prioritise people who are terminally ill for makes and make sure they are provided as soon as possible. The process aims to ensure home works are finished as patients leave the hospital, stair life and fixed hoist applications are also fast-tracked.
The work supporting older people and those with disabilities was praised by Councillor Nial Ring who suggested “the banks and vulture funds a deal out of Dublin City Council’s book.” He said it’s great to see people genuinely trying to help better people’s lives and treat them with dignity.
He said it’s not easy for people to admit they need help and he has seen people’s urgent cases fast-tracked and work delivered at impressive speed. “I see the cold face of what Dublin City Council do and they don’t get any credit of course, so let’s give credit when credit is due,” he said.
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