FUNDS of more than €300,000 have been proposed for local authority housing adaptations in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown to benefit tenants with disabilities.
Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government Paudie Coffey recently approved €8m in nationwide funding to adapt social houses for those with disabilities.
Minister Coffey said funding was now approved for local authorities which applied for the grants, with a proposed €323,532 to be allocated for social housing in DLR.
He said: “Allocations for local authorities have been granted the full amount sought, up to a maximum of €300,000 per local authority.
“I hope this funding can now go towards housing improvements right across the country for those people who most need adaptations to enhance accessibility in social housing.
“Where new houses can’t be identified for tenants with disabilities, we must do everything we can to ensure that their houses are easier to live in, and that is what this funding is intended to do.”
Cllr Deirdre Donnelly (Ind) said: “I welcome any funding for those with disabilities as these people are often left behind.”
Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor (FG) also welcomed the proposed funding, saying: “Thousands of people are living in local authority housing in our county, and many of these have disabilities.
“We need to ensure that the people of the locality are living in homes that are fit for purpose, and this funding will go a long way towards making the improvements required.”
Her party colleague, Cllr Barry Saul, said: “I welcome the allocation, but I will be writing to the minister to look for a larger allocation next year. These adaptations have the ability to greatly enhance the quality for life for people who are currently on [housing] waiting lists.”
