COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, December 08, 2025
QUESTION NO. 24
QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons
To ask the Chief Executive if there are any grants operated by SDCC providing funding towards sensory rooms?
REPLY:
The council administers the Housing (Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People) Regulations 2024 on behalf of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (DHLGH). Grants are provided to support individuals with disabilities by ensuring necessary adaptations, repairs, or improvements such as sensory rooms are made to their private homes to better suit their needs.
Under the Housing Adaptation Grant for Disabled People, a disability is defined in the Regulations as “an enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual impairment.” In line with this definition, all applications for grant aid relating to individuals diagnosed with Autism are assessed under this scheme, provided the proposed works are reasonably necessary to make the home more suitable for the person’s accommodation needs. Applications of this type must be supported by a multi-disciplinary assessment by suitably qualified healthcare professionals. This assessment should clearly outline who will be responsible for providing ongoing therapy services and who will supply and maintain any sensory-related equipment. Updated guidance is to be provided to local authorities on housing adaptation assistive technologies relating to the fixtures and fittings of a property which qualify within the schemes having regard to the evolving nature of such technology. Funding is available for adaptations to the physical structure or fabric of the home only. Funding is not available for the purchase of sensory equipment.
To qualify for the grant the following requirements apply:
- Grant application must be approved before the work starts on the home.
- Applicant must live in the home when the work is completed.
- Home-owners tax affairs must be in order, and they must have tax clearance from Revenue if the grant is for more than €10,000.
- Local Property Tax for the home must be in order.
- Proof of income.
- Completed doctors certificate.
An occupational therapist report is also required, a refund is available of up to €300 towards the cost of this report. If an extension is required, an applicant must engage a professional to design the extension, secure planning permission, if required and drawings must be provided to determine the amount of grant funding available.
For further assistance on grants in private homes, the team can be contacted by emailing hgrants@sdublincoco.ie or by phoning 01 4149373. For applicants over the age of 65 years, support is also available from Local Co-ordinators of the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme. They can be contacted by phoning 046-9248899. These local co-ordinators support the population over 65yrs in the SDCC area and will make an appointment to come and visit an applicant in their home to advise and assist with the application form. This is a free service.
The Tenants Disabled Persons Grant funding may be considered for a range of infrastructural and safety-related adaptations necessary to create appropriate living environments for applicants with specific sensory needs. Works considered may include, modifications intended to enhance safety to internal and external doors, implementation of measures designed to regulate sensory input, such as specialised light control mechanisms to ensure a softer, less stimulating environment and therapeutic colour schemes to promote calmness and relaxation. Applicants may also be considered for a transfer to alternative accommodation with additional bedroom space that may be more suitable to their current needs.
Further details can be found on our website www.sdcc.ie.