'What are we at?' Laois councillor rails against end of oil burner grants

A Laois councillor has raised concern with Laois County Council over the law change that has ended grants to elderly people or those with disabilities, from buying new replacement oil or gas burners or solid fuel stoves.

However the council says it is "stuck with the changes".

The Department of Housing has changed the Housing Aid for Older People grant scheme, to comply with EU environment regulations.

Cllr Paddy Bracken from Mountmellick Municipal District said it "must be rescinded", speaking at the February council meeting.

"There is a directive now that we cannot give a grant to replace an oil or gas or solid fuel stove. There was a grant up to now. We increased the amount, but what happens to someone if their oil burner is gone?

"What are we at? That directive should be rescinded straight away. It's beyond me. 

"The whole grant system where you provided a proof of income like a pension slip, that's all been done away with. Now you have to contact the social welfare office and get a statement of income, and and statement of liability from Revenue, a PPS, your date of birth, mobile number, landline, email. How does an elderly person or a person with disability do all that" Cllr Bracken said.

Cllr John Joe Fennelly agreed with him.

"If an old age pensioner can get receipts for their pension that should be accepted. To ask them in rural areas with no broadband to do this form, some don't understand how to do it," he said.

Director of Services Donal Brennan offered to send a letter to the Department of Housing, including other queries about home improvement grants.

"I propose to raise this at the Housing Strategic Policy committee meeting and send a letter from there listing issues raised to the housing department. I fully agree, however at local level we get the cheques from the department, we're stuck with the conditions coming from the department. There does seem to be issues and difficulties caused," Mr Brennan said.

Cllr Bracken asked him to send a letter immediately and follow up with another from the SPC, and the director agreed.

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Since January 1 2025, grants under the Housing Aid for Older People Grant scheme can no longer be provided for the installation of new stand-alone boilers powered by fossil fuels. 

The new law does however allow for a secondhand burner to be bought with grant money, and for repairs of fossil fuel heating systems. Anyone who got grant approval for a new burner before January 1 2025 can still claim the money also.

Grants can be paid for non-fossil fuel heating such as electric heaters and wood pellet stoves.

"Housing Adaptation Grant for Disabled People, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, are all funded by the Department of Housing, with a 15% contribution from the local authority. The Housing Aid for Older People Grant scheme provides grants of up to €10,700 to assist older people living in poor housing conditions.