Accessible Home Hub
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND · HOME ADAPTATIONS AND SUPPORT
Ireland: home adaptation grants and home support
A change to the building and help with everyday personal care follow different routes. Check which service you need before treating a home-support approval as money for a ramp or bathroom alteration.
This page concerns the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland has a separate adaptations route; the schemes below do not establish eligibility there.
What is the Home Support Authorisation Scheme?
The HSE's Home Support Authorisation Scheme operating procedure concerns HSE staff commissioning services and the home-support providers appointed under those contracts. It is a provider and service-arrangement process. It is not an application form for a household renovation grant.
For an individual needing help with tasks such as dressing or personal care, use the HSE Home Support Service information. The HSE can provide support directly or through an approved provider, according to assessed needs. Its application page explains how to obtain the form and return it to the local Home Support Office. If you are in hospital, ask the person coordinating discharge about that application.
If both assistance and building work are needed, record two requests: the support required for everyday tasks, and the proposed changes to the home. Approval or a provider listing for one does not decide the other.
Which housing grant should I ask about?
Local authorities administer these selected housing schemes. The official scheme pages and current council application determine eligibility, assessment, permitted work and payment. Ask about approval and timing before ordering equipment, signing a building contract or starting work.
| Official scheme | Discussion starting point |
|---|---|
| Housing Adaptation Grant for Disabled People | Changes needed to make a home suitable for a disabled person, such as access or bathroom alterations. Ask which assessment and property evidence the council needs. |
| Mobility Aids Grant | A defined suite of mobility-related works. The official examples include grab rails, ramps and accessible showers; a product name alone does not approve the project. |
| Housing Aid for Older People Grant | Necessary repairs or improvements for older people living in poor housing conditions. Check the actual repair scope rather than assuming it is interchangeable with a disability adaptation grant. |
Do not add several advertised grant maxima together as an available project budget. Ask the council which route fits, what the household must contribute and how any other assistance affects the application. This guide does not calculate a grant amount or confirm an award.
Prepare one brief, with separate decisions
- Describe the task. Record the resident's priorities, existing equipment and help, and what is difficult about entering, washing or moving around the home.
- Identify the responsible service. Ask HSE about personal support and the local authority about the proposed housing work. Record each contact and application separately.
- Confirm evidence and permissions. Ask who assesses the person and design, what owner consent is needed, and which property approvals must be checked for the actual work.
- Compare the full scope. Include assessment, design, preparation, plumbing, waterproofing, equipment, installation and making good where relevant. Mark exclusions and unpriced work.
- Record the payment and completion process. Ask who pays first, what must be approved before work, how variations are agreed and what completion evidence is required.
Official sources and review date
The HSE and Department of Housing pages linked above were checked 4 November 2026. The HSE operating-procedure landing page records an August 2026 update. Check the current agency and council instructions for your request. These are planning notes, not a care assessment, grant decision or approved design.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ireland's Home Support Authorisation Scheme a home modification grant?
No. The HSE procedure concerns commissioning home-support services and contracted providers. For proposed changes to the building, check the local authority's housing adaptation or mobility-aids grant route separately. A home-support approval does not itself approve a renovation.
How do I apply for personal home support in Ireland?
Use the HSE Home Support Service application information and your local Home Support Office. The service considers assessed needs. If you are in hospital, ask the person coordinating discharge about applying. This is separate from a council application for housing alterations.
Do the Republic of Ireland's adaptation grants apply in Northern Ireland?
No. Northern Ireland has a separate health, social-care and housing adaptations process. Confirm the property jurisdiction before using a scheme name or application form.