More than €450,000 in adaptation grants unused in Westmeath - Clarke

A total of €452,885 worth of grants meant to help older people and people with disabilities living in social housing in Westmeath were not drawn down last year, according to a local TD.

Sinn Féin's Sorca Clarke warned that this is because the grant limits are currently too low for works to be feasible, meaning that people are missing out on much-needed adaptations required in their homes. The figures were released to Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould.

“The Disabled Persons Grants scheme is meant to be a lifeline to enable older people and people with disabilities living in social housing to carry out adaptations that are needed in their homes," Deputy Clarke said.

“However, figures obtained by Sinn Féin show that huge portions of the sums allocated are not being drawn down.

“In 2022, a funding allocation of €891,782 was made to Westmeath but just €438,897 was drawn down. This meant that €452,885 in available funding was not used.

“This means that people in Westmeath who need these adaptations aren’t receiving them and the money is gathering dust. It is likely that much of this is due to the fact the amounts awarded are so low that they aren’t feasible due to rising construction costs caused by inflation.

“The scheme isn’t able to keep pace with these costs and in the meantime, much-needed adaptations can’t go ahead.

“The Department of Housing and Westmeath County Council must look into this issue urgently, to ensure that the scheme can operate as intended without delay.

“Many people in Westmeath have been waiting for long periods for approval for these grants which would make a major difference to their quality of life and ensure that they are safe in their homes.

“They are relieved to be approved for a grant, only to find that the work is unable to be delivered.

“They need clarity about when the flaws in this scheme will be resolved,” Deputy Clarke concluded.