O’Sullivan welcomes over €2.2m for Disabled Persons Grant Scheme & Improvement Works in Lieu of Local Authority Housing Scheme in Cork

Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North Central, Pádraig O’Sullivan, has welcomed €2,266,368m in funding for the Disabled Persons Grant scheme (DPG) and Improvement Works in Lieu of social housing scheme (IWILs) in Cork. 

Exchequer funding meets 90% of the cost with the local authority providing the remaining 10%, meaning the combined total of funding for works for Cork City Council is €1,444,444.44 and for Cork County Council is €821,924.01. 

Deputy O’Sullivan commented, “The DPG scheme provides funding for extensions and adaptations to existing social housing stock for older people and people with a disability such as grab rails, disabled access ramps, wet rooms, downstairs bedrooms etc. The scheme also provides extensions in cases of overcrowding.  

“The Improvement Works in Lieu of social housing scheme (IWILs) 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.  

“This will greatly improve the housing conditions for our older tenants and those living with disabilities. 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.  

“These grants have a huge impact on the quality of life of the many beneficiaries and play a vitally important role in helping people with a disability and people who are reaching an age in life when they are less mobile, to continue to live independently in their own homes,” concluded Deputy O’Sullivan.