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AN INCREASE OF grant limits and income thresholds for Housing Adaptation Grants are set to be approved by Cabinet today.
A number of recommendations have been put forward by Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Alan Dillon following a review of the grants. These include increases to limits and thresholds, as well as the amending of means tests, and the reducing of local authority contributions.
Grant limits are set to be increased by over 30%, while income thresholds will rise by 25%.
There will also be changes made to means-testing for the grants.
Under the new rules, only the owner of a property and their spouse, or the tenant and their spouse in rented accommodation, will be assessed.
Up to now, the income of the owner or tenant, their spouse, and all adult members of the household was assessed.
The report has also recommended that the funding contribution provided by local authorities be reduced from 20% to 15%.
Housing Adaptation Grants are available for people with physical, sensory, or mental health issues, or those with intellectual disabilities.
It provides funding to improve how people enter and move about their homes, including adding ramps, adding more space, and installing stair lifts or grab rails.
The current maximum amount available under the grant is €30,000 – this is reduced to €14,500 if the house is less than 12 months old.
Under the proposed changes, this will increase to €39,000.
The grant is not available to those whose gross annual income exceeds €60,000.
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Much of the rise of the independents is based on frustration, frustration of people feeling they are not being listened too, that the few are making decisions for the many.
It’s been building for years, and now that people who express their frustration and or opinion are now being labelled as wrong or far right.
People in communities have a right to express their opinion or question policy, but those in power shut them down by labelling them as such.
@Mary Kelly: And that’s the problem! Unelected CEO’s of local councils are being handed power by the elected councillors, so people revert to the independent candidates but most people are unaware of the limited powers councils have. The consequences of that will be that the far right or left councillors can’t influence the real decisions like housing , health or climate change. The only advantage of the left or right, is that they enable FF/ FG to stay in power through fear of the other and both couldn’t be bothered to think things through and find solutions. As much as I dislike Wallace and Daly, at least they stood up for their beliefs unlike Carberry, what does she even stand for? or Kelliher. O’Sullivan, Herne and McHugh rejected in favour of puppets. The only upside is that the demise of the planet will rid us of an electorate and politicians, who put self interest above the planet
Immigration is a huge issue . Irish people do not have issues with people coming here to work. Nobody bats an eyelid at Australias strict immigration laws. Why are we been subjected to criminals , gangs of males only, lack of reporting of crimes being committed by illegal immigration, rough riding over communities, discussions around immigration being loaded ?
Our problem liies with those in politics who seem to be falling over themselves and each other to proclaim how great it is to be so diverse etc.. Diversity is not the problem… the way it’s been done is the problem. Thanks FFG
@barry lyons: would you care to share reliable sources for your claims of “criminals” (I guess you mean that only criminals are migrating to Ireland, correct?) and of “crimes committed by illegal immigration”?
@barry lyons: It might be a huge issue but it is way down the list of urgent issues. Climate, Wars, far right taking over Europe, China/ Russia and Capitalist profiteering are slightly more important.
Have you noticed that those countries in Europe where anti immigration policy is strongest are the very countries that raped and plundered and colonised the people’s of those countries who are now ‘ flooding ‘ Europe. So instead of holding European countries accountable, you are blaming the victims. Principles are supposed to be consistent!
Why don’t you Fight / Vote for harsher penalties for traffickers?? Or is it just easier to turn a blind eye. Thank God white people don’t commit crimes!!
@BarryH: You are trying to turn what I said into a racist issue . Why are you assuming I’m white. Your comment is disgusting . The illusion of far right is government speak against anyone who raises a question.
I assume it’s ok to ask questions or would you prefer if I rolled over
No such thing as an independent. Independents came from somewhere. At the end of the day your either right or left. Saying your independent is just a clever way of trying to disguise it. They’ll sell their vote to any party, ignore national interests in return for their local need for the high fives from the Betty’s in the parish halls. All they are good for is petrol pump politics.
@Dan The Man: independents use their leverage at crucial times to get their constituents a better deal. It normally works out for them. Its what gets them reelected year in year out, which is the whole point. It’s not fair but it works for their parish.
I have come to realise that over the recent years, SF has become very close to the west European socialist party, as they stand for the same.
This is why it’s over for them unless something big happen
@Dominic Leleu: Did you read the final results ? Sinn Fein vote up 21%. F.F and FG. Vote down !!!!
If Mary Lou can’t run an election she definitely cant run a country
@Sergio Reddan: Correct if I’m wrong, didn’t SF increased their councillors and double their MEPs? I’ll wait…
@Ian: You are of course correct in your statement. However if I was in Sinn Fein, I wouldn’t be celebrating a “doubling” of their MEPs to a grand total of 2, while losing their sitting MEP in what should be a SF stronghold. They did increase their representation at local level by a tiny amount but it was far from what anyone in the party would have hoped for.
@Sergio Reddan: But,she did and she got an increased vote of support !
The success (or lack of!) Verona Murphy’s ‘Not Independent Alliance’ speaks for itself…. puppets for a woman with her own agenda. She was the captain of the Titanic in the Wexford Election and they were her doomed passengers. And its not over yet, still lots of stories to break about the underhanded tactics that were used!
@Steve Davis: does it really matter who gets elected or who doesn’t, im not big into politics but all politicians are only out for one thing and that is to line their own pockets with a gteat wage and a great pension
Far right fascists will not replace us!
@Alan Kennedy: neither will far left fascists
@John D Doe: Fascists are right wing.
The 0.9% think they took all support away from “mass migration” FFG!!!!!
@9QRixo8H: AHH! the percentage man, you must be an accountant with all you fancy figures
People may just prepare for the housing crisis to worsen there is no denying that now. Building x amount cutting a ribbon with a scissors for a photo isn’t fixing it long term. But clowns think the problem is being fixed and are afraid of opposition when it has clear as day proven time and time again it is worsening at an accelerated rate. Sinn fein lost with they’re half assed policies if the other parties could get the finger out come together control immigration and just try get a handle on the housing it would stop far right slowly gaining ground. They may still gain a lot long term if situation continues with housing which is guaranteed with what’s in power.
@Paddy C: Definitely. My partners youngest brother told me out of his entire sixth year class from couple of years ago there is not a single one of them left in the country. Every single one of them emigrated the minute they finished college. All fed up and refusing to pay the high rents and work for the low starting wages and high tax. Rents could be high in other countries but you’ll get more services and better standard of accommodation. You won’t have to own a car and pay thr extortionate rates to keep and maintain it like here. You won’t be destroyed with tax if you want to work hard and will keep more of your money shockingly.
@Dan The Man: emigration of our young talent. I feel that’s what FG is silently encouraging/hoping to reduce the housing demand while marginally (if at all) raising supply.
And when there’s no choice, you can hardly blame them for emigrating.
have your say