Over €400,000 allocated to Meath to provide essential modifications to social housing
The funding aims to adapt and improve local authority housing stock to support older people, those with disabilities, and families experiencing overcrowding.
This funding will enable essential home modifications such as stair lifts, ramps, grab rails, and more complex adaptations including downstairs bedrooms, wet rooms, and even extensions to relieve overcrowding.
Importantly, the Improvement Works in Lieu scheme will also allow for necessary upgrades to privately owned homes, if the resident has already been approved for social housing.
Welcoming the announcement, Meath West Senator Linda Nelson Murray said: 'This funding will help adapt older social housing. When I was canvassing, I was working with people who were living in social housing; some of them have lived there all their lives, they've gotten older in that house and they might need a new front door, a window or a new step. So this will benefit those people. A lot of our newer social housing are more adapted.'
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne said: 'This funding will significantly improve housing conditions for older tenants and those with disabilities. It will also help tackle overcrowding in social housing and offer an alternative for those currently living in overcrowded private accommodation.'
Meanwhile Minister of State with responsibility for Older People, Kieran O'Donnell said his priority is 'to empower older individuals to remain living in the homes and communities where they have made their lives.'
'This funding announcement is a positive measure in contributing to this,' he added.
The funding will be administered by Meath County Council, who will be responsible for identifying eligible properties and overseeing the improvement works. The schemes are structured so that 90pc of the cost is covered by the Department, with 10pc coming from the local authority.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
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