Purpose of Grant
The Mobility Aids Housing Grant is available to cover a basic suite of works to address mobility problems.
Who is Eligible for the Grant
The grant is available to households whose gross annual household income does not exceed €30,000 and where works are reasonably necessary for the purpose of rendering the house more suitable for the accommodation of a person who has mobility problems and who is a member of the household.
The grant is targeted at meeting the needs of persons with the greatest level / most complex clinical / functional care needs, the Council have adopted a policy to target the following three (3) categories i.e. progressive neurological conditions, acquired brain injury, other high level care needs groups.
Progressive Neurological Conditions:
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Motor Neuron Disease
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Progressive Terminal Illness / Cancer
- Alzheimer’s / Dementia
- Amyloidosis
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Fredericks Ataxia
- Huntington’s Chorea
Acquired Brain Injury:
- Brain Injury
- Alcohol Related Brain Injury
- Stroke
Other High Level Care Need Groups:
- Persons in wheelchair
- Persons depending on specialised equipment to manage in the home such as hoists
- Persons with high level of care support being provided in the home (generally more than one carer assigned)
- Persons with spinal cord injuries such as quadriplegia or paraplegia
While the diagnosis alone, as outlined in the first two categories above, would entitle consideration for a grant, there would of course have to be the associated functional needs. In that context regard must be had to the existing accommodation and the level of support available.
The following general principles also applies:
- The person for whom the adaptation is being considered must be someone who has “permanent and substantial” mobility problems.
- The person must occupy the house as his / her normal place of residence
- The purpose of providing adaptations is to increase or maintain functional independence of people with permanent and substantial mobility problems. The level of provision will be dependent on the needs of the individual and or carer’s in relation to the individuals mobility problems and technical feasibility.
- The adaptation should in so far as it is practicable, take into account the clients short and long term needs. In the case of children, it is not always possible to do this until the age of five and therefore applications for assistance for works for children under the age of five will only be considered where their long term needs are clearly established. In such cases, confirmation will be required if the child has undergone an assessment of need consistent with Part 2 of the Disability Act, 2005. Where an assessment has taken place, regard will be had to the recommendations contained in the assessment report
However,
- Mobility problems in their own right do not automatically infer that a grant will be payable as the level of the mobility problems and the functional difficulties which arise as a result must be taken into account. The level of severity, or existence of specific diagnosis does not imply that an applicant has significant needs in relation to housing.
- A short term mobility problem would not necessarily qualify where for example an “aid” would overcome any functional difficulties which arise. Similarly, where a person undergoes treatment with an expected “curing” within a reasonable period, a grant would not be payable. An example of such a situation would be where a person has undergone a hip operation.
- Infirmary associated with old age does not automatically qualify an applicant for grant assistance as the works proposed must be necessary and directly related to alleviating the applicants functional difficulties.
What type of Work is Covered
Examples of the type of works grant aided under the scheme include:
- Grab-rails;
- Access ramps;
- Level access showers;
- Stair-lifts;
- Smoke Alarms; and
- Other minor works deemed necessary to facilitate the mobility needs of a member of a household
- It is a matter for each Local Authority to decide, inter alia, the circumstance in which a grant may be paid and if so, the works which are necessary to make the accommodation more suitable for the person with the mobility problems and the level of grant to be paid.
This must all be considered against the background of the ongoing need to obtain best possible value for money.
In general,
- The works must be necessary to improve the quality of life of the person with the mobility problems.
- The adaptation work must be “essential and practical” and “necessary and appropriate”.
- Where there are options for meeting an applicants identified need, the most cost effective option will be proposed.
- In many cases, bath aids or other aids may be an appropriate remedy as opposed to the carrying out of structural repairs to a dwelling.
- A guideline for qualifying works is “would the person still need the works / facilities if they did not have mobility problems. If so, then the Mobility Aids Grant is not appropriate and in such a case it must be clearly understood that the Mobility Aids Grant does not cover the provision of facilities needed because of overcrowding, or the carrying out of general improvements / maintenance works to dwellings.
- • Works which are of general benefit to the household rather than of specific benefit to the person with the mobility problems or where the works do not directly alleviate the mobility problems are not covered under the Scheme.
- • Under no circumstances will an application be considered where it is deemed to be a case of more “ordinary” maintenance or improvement works as opposed to being a case where a special need arises as a result of mobility problems.
Ramps/Railings
A Grant may be payable in respect of the provision of a ramp or railing to one or either of the front or back doors to a dwelling. The resurfacing of complete driveways or streets will not be covered under the Scheme.
In exceptional circumstances where the person with mobility problems is confined to a wheelchair or is seriously immobile, a contribution towards the cost of the provision of a short pathway to the door can be considered.
Bathrooms / Level Access Showers
The adaptation of a bathroom to provide special shower and toilet facilities may be considered where these are deemed necessary. In many cases, the recommended works will be the provision of a level deck shower or other alteration to a bathroom. The Scheme is not designed to cover the whole bathroom suite i.e. w.c., wash hand basin to be upgraded as standard as part of a bathroom renovation. In many cases the standard suites may be of poor condition and need upgrading but this is not considered appropriate under the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme. In such cases, only the provision of the necessary facilities will be grant aided.
Stair Lifts
The provision of a stair lift will be considered as opposed to provision of an extension where this is practical and where it clearly meets the needs of the person with the mobility problem.
Smoke Alarms
It is strongly recommended that an applicant should include smoke alarms in any suite of works undertaken, if not already present and operating in a dwelling. The preferred option is to include the provision of a mains operated smoke alarm in conjunction with any rewiring works which are taking place.
Alternatively as a minimum, at least, two self contained, ten year battery operated alarms should be installed. In such cases it is important to ensure that batteries are frequently checked and replaced as required.
Minor Works
Other minor works deemed necessary to facilitate the mobility needs of a member of a household may be considered.
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