Housing adaptation grants paused in Limerick as council faces €1m funding deficit 

'Every effort will be made to secure additional surplus funding that may become available from the department of housing', the council said.

Labour TD Conor Sheehan said the fact applications were being suspended halfway through the year was proof the 'scheme is not working as it should'. Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins

New applications for housing adaptation grants in Limerick have been suspended, with the council saying it would have a €1m black hole if all applications for 2025 were approved.

In a letter to TDs, the council confirmed it was “pausing accepting all applications” for such grants for older people and people with disabilities, citing budget shortfalls.

Two Limerick TDs, Conor Sheehan and Maurice Quinlivan, said they had been told only emergency applications would be permitted.

In total, Limerick City and County Council was allocated €5.8m for adaptation grants to last the full year, with €3.1m being spent to date. A further €2.3m has been approved for payment for 2025, leaving €350,000 remaining in the council’s budget. However, the total value of applications yet to be approved or paid for 2025 is €1.4m, which would leave a €1m black hole if all grant claims were paid out.

“Any applicants that are approved between now and the end of 2025 will be advised that payment of the grant in 2025 will be subject to funding being available in 2025, and if funding is not available in 2025, payment will be made in 2026,” the council wrote. 

“Every effort will be made to secure additional surplus funding that may become available from the department of housing.”

The scheme itself refers to three separate grants: The housing adaptation grant for disabled people; the mobility aid grant; and housing aid for older people.

Mr Sheehan, a Labour TD, said the fact applications were being suspended halfway through the year was proof the “scheme is not working as it should”.

This grant is not a luxury, it is a lifeline for many people in Limerick and across the country. It enables people to live safely and independently in their own homes.

“We have seen time and again how the scheme can be transformative, yet it is chronically under-funded.

“This is not the first time we’ve seen this situation arise, and unless serious funding is committed, it won’t be the last. Housing adaptation grants play a crucial role in supporting older people and people with disabilities to live at home with dignity.”

Mr Sheehan cited the Government’s review of the scheme, which outlined a need to expand eligibility and increase the income thresholds.

“We in Labour have consistently called for the housing adaptation grant limits to be increased to €60,000, and for income thresholds to be indexed to reflect today’s reality,” he said.

People are being denied access to basic, life-enhancing modifications — such as stairlifts, accessible bathrooms or ramps — because this Government refuses to plan properly or fund these schemes at the level required.

Mr Quinlivan of Sinn Féin called for the council to reconsider its pause on further applications. He said the department must “step up now and provide additional funding to Limerick Council”.

“The cost of construction materials has increased dramatically over the last number of years, but especially in the last 12 months, and this is pushing up the cost of many of the works, adding to council costs,” Mr Quinlivan said.

“The Department of Housing must recognise this and assist councils with additional funding to allow the grants to continue to be paid for the duration of 2025.”