COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, November 12, 2018

MOTION NO. 3

MOTION: Councillor C. McCann

That this Council calls on the Chief Executive to remove the requirement “All applicants are required to include with their grant application, proof that they are compliant with the local property tax.” From the conditions of applications on the following grant schemes.

• Housing Aid for Older People Scheme
• Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a disability.
• Mobility Aids Housing Grant Scheme 

REPORT:

The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability (HAGs), Housing Aid for Older People (HOPs) and the Mobility Aids Grant (MAGs) are three national grant schemes which is 80% funded by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. The 20% remainder of the grant expenditure is funded by local authority revenue. The administrative guidance to local authorities has been provided directly by the Department. In February 2014 there were changes made to the assessment process of these grants. One of the principal changes made included the requirement for all applicants to include with their grant application, proof that they are compliant with the local property tax.  Local authorities are required to be satisfied with the status of the property owner and seek the appropriate evidence of ownership of a property prior to processing grant applications. The national guidance issued to local authorities also states that local authorities should satisfy themselves that applicants are registered for the payment of the Local Property Tax.

As these conditions are set at a national level for these 3 grants schemes the local authority has no remit to alter the conditions set.