To ask the Minister for Communities to detail (i) whether there is an upper limit for the Housing Executive's Disabled Facilities Grant; and (ii) the process when the cost of the work rises after the grant is allocated, but the family or individual cannot afford to make up the deficit.

(i) Article 2 of The Housing Renovation etc. Grants (Grant Limit) Order (Northern Ireland) 2003 informs the Housing Executive of the maximum grant-aid amount which it can approve for eligible works. As of 1 February 2023, the maximum amount is £35,000.

There is provision under Article 64(3)(b) of the Housing (NI) Order 2003 for the Housing Executive, under certain circumstances, to provide additional grant aid for mandatory adaptation works. The additional amount has been agreed at £35,000 so the total payable for eligible works is up to a maximum of £70,000.

(ii) The Housing Executive has advised that the grant award is calculated using a Schedule of Rates for construction works informed by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Building Cost Information Service Cost Indices (RICS BCIS Indices). These rates are reviewed and, if necessary, individual rates adjusted should market forces dictate.

During the normal life-time of a case the Housing Executive may complete multiple recalculations for a number of different reasons. This includes, and is not limited to, for example;

an applicant’s OT recommendation may change and have additional eligible works added;

there has been an increase in the Schedule of Rates - where work has not started the applicant’s case may benefit from the uplift in rates; or

unforeseen works emerge after the work has started on site.

The Housing Executive will review each case as need arises and at the end will complete a recalculation by way of a final re-cost to ensure amounts of all eligible works are accounted for.

Where appropriate the Housing Executive may sign-post an applicant to potential bursary and other grant schemes which may consider contributing towards the works being completed if they are not fully met by the grant award.