More money for Leitrim's neighbours who receive 'substantially bigger' housing grant

People in neighbouring counties are receiving more money in terms of housing adaption and mobility grants, it was claimed at a recent meeting.

Cllr Brendan Barry asked what the rates for works proposed as part of the housing adaption and mobility grants calculating approval of grant and that these rates be increased to better reflect current construction costs in Leitrim. 

He was told that the amount of grant-aid that can be approved for works recommended under the housing adaption grand and the mobility aids grant schemes is based on the council's standard unit rates for these works. 

The amount approved is based on the household income and isn't intended to cover the full cost of the works. 

The unit rates are reviewed periodically to account for increased costs and they will be reviewed this year, the response concluded.

READ MORE: Fourth no insurance conviction leads to 8-year ban plus community service

Cllr Barry noted that "people in a neighbouring county were allocated a grant that was substantially bigger than similar works that were to be carried out in this county. Many people, when they get their quotes from the builder, are finding a big gap between what they are getting approved for and the actual cost of the works."

He continued that he understood that the "the rates we are using in Leitrim are from 2020; so much has changed since then in terms of the cost of construction and materials which have significantly increased. I'm hoping it can be reviewed to try and better reflect current costs."

READ MORE: 'I’ve always had a love for Glenfarne as this estate was where my grandmother grew up 150 years ago'

Director of Services, Justin Fannon said the rates were reviewed in 2023 and that "the amount of money available is the amount of money available; I've no doubt that once the review is done, the cost of those items will probably increase. If each individual gets more money, less individuals will probably get anything."

Cllr Paddy O'Rourke said that it was his understanding that "windows in houses, other than the rooms that are directly occupied" were not benefitting from the grant. 

He said: "If you have one individual in a house, the council has taken the view that the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom are the only rooms that will receive grant-aid when windows need to be replaced."

READ MORE: Pick up the latest Leitrim Life magazine

He stressed that he believed "all windows and doors should be storm proof."

Cllr Enda McGloin said the real issue, in his view, was "the overall funding" and that "the match funding is a problem for us; we have to find the funding within our own budget. As Cllr O'Rourke has outlined, that is a mechanism that the council has found to try and reduce grant liability the council have."

He added that "unless we address it as members, we are not going to be able to fund any grants. Do we have to find a source of funding within our own capital budget to ensure that we can increase the rates or fulfil a total grant where all windows are replaced."

Mr Fannon responded that "Our funding; it is an issue."

In response to Cllr O'Rourke's comments, Mr Fannon said that "the department's view is that rather than doing the whole house, focus on the areas most in need; rooms that are lived in."

Cllr McGloin again pushed to know if the issue was the council could not meet the match funding. 

Mr Fannon replied that "all of the rate increases go towards funding the capital programme" and the "match funding requirements is tricky in the context of the full budget that you approved. Are we getting our fair share of the national pie, I assumed we were a few years ago; maybe that has changed."