Donegal receives €3.4m funding to support independent living

Donegal has received over €3.4m in funding to support independent living for elderly and disabled People.

The allocation will provide Housing Adaptation Grants representing a 35% increase in comparison to last year. Housing Adaptation Grants for older and disabled individuals assist the people of Donegal with the necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works to make the accommodation more suitable to the needs of older and disabled people supporting them to live in their homes. 

The breakdown is as follows: 80% (€2.7m) of the grant comes from exchequer funding through the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The remaining 20% (€680k) in funding comes from Donegal County Council, who administer the scheme.

Nationally, €74.5m exchequer funding combined with local authority contribution ensures over €93m available to deliver 13,000 grants The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD and Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Alan Dillon TD announced the funding for older people and disabled people to facilitate them living independently in their own homes.

“I am delighted that we can allocate increased funding for Donegal in 2024 to ensure delivery of these much-needed grants which will allow Donegal County Council to continue to support older and disabled people to live independently and in their own homes,” Minister O’Brien said.  “As I travel around the country I am regularly meeting and speaking with people who have received assistance through these grants and the difference they make in helping people to live independently for as long as possible is remarkable. These grants also support local economies, creating employment opportunities for local contractors and businesses which is very important.

”Grants of up to €30,000 are available to assist disabled people carry out necessary work to make a house more suitable for their needs. Additionally, grants of up to €8,000 are available to assist older people to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out on their homes and grants of up to €6,000 are available for mobility aids.