Nearly €16m to adapt Cork homes for people with disabilities

A projected €16m will be allocated to adapt houses for older people and people with disabilities in Cork this year.

Minister for housing, local government and heritage James Browne TD, announced the funding as part of a €129.5m package, which represents a 30% increase on previous funding allocations.

Combined with contributions from local authorities, the projected funding figure for 2026 amounts to €152m nationwide, and includes the €15.9m allocated for Cork city and county.

The funding, which comes as more than €13.5m in exchequer funding and almost €2.4m in projected local authority contributions, will see grants of up to €40,000 available to assist people with a disability in carrying out necessary home improvement works, as well as up to €10,700 to assist older people with any repairs or improvement works.

Grants of up to €8,000 will also be available for mobility aids.

Fine Gael Cork South Central TD, Jerry Buttimer said these grants are “crucial in enabling Cork City Council and Cork County Council to further support older and disabled individuals to adapt their homes to suit their needs and to maintain their independence”.

“I have met many recipients here in Cork and have seen the positive difference that adaptation works have made to their lives at home,” Mr Buttimer said.

“The local economy also benefits through the provision of employment for local tradespeople.

“It is fantastic to see a 30% funding increase in this grant for 2026, which will deliver 17,000 grant claims for older and disabled people, many of them living in Cork.

“I would like to commend Cork City Council and Cork County Council which do great work in administering the grants, including assessing the applications and arranging home inspections where adaptations are proposed,” he added.