Council officials have drawn attention to the fact that certain types of grants for people who are elderly or disabled now have a new framework for awards and assessment.

At last week's Social Policy and Housing Strategic Policy Committee, Staff Officer Shane O'Doherty presented information on the changes to the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability (HGD), the Mobility Aid Housing Grant Scheme (MAGS) and the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme (HOP).

Mr O'Doherty said that the HGD criteria provides for a maximum grant of €30,000—a rise from just over €20,000 previously— and it covers up to 95% of work (up from 90%).

All local authorities prioritise applicants on the basis of medical need and two quotations for work must be provided.

The scheme is means tested and to get the maximum allowance, applicants must have an income of less than €30,000 a year but 30% of costs can be covered with incomes of up to €65,000 a year. The income disregarded for each child is €5,000.

While existing claims are being processed under the Diasabled Persons Grant, applicants can choose to withdraw their submission and re-apply under the new scheme.

He explained that the MAG scheme is designed to "fast-track" applications to address improvement works of up to €6,000.

The type of work specified is minor and would include installing level access showers, ramps and grab-rails among other works.

It is targeted at people with incomes of under €30,000 a year but 100% of costs is covered and just one quotation on the work is needed.

The third scheme— the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme (HOP)—replaces the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme by the Health Service Executive, which still runs until March 31.

This scheme is for the over 60s and has a maximum grant sum of €10,500 but also covers 100% of costs and requires one quotation. The means testing guidelines are the same as those of the HGD scheme.

Any applications to the HSE will be processed by the HSE only.