National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2011 - 2016

objectives of the review were to ensure that new buildings (other than dwellings) meetadequate levels of accessibility, to secure improvement of existing building stock where amaterial alteration or change of use takes place, and to support the philosophy of universalaccess.8.12 Proposals for updated standards have now been finalised. The Building Regulations(Part M Amendment) Regulations 2010) 54 were published on 5 November 2010. In relationto dwellings, the Regulations will continue to require new dwellings to be visitable by peoplewith disabilities. Some amendments have been made to the Technical Guidance Documentin respect to the provision of more guidance on approaches to dwellings and widths ofinternal doors. In order to ensure the effective enforcement of the new Regulations,sufficient resources must be provided at local level. The Minister for the Environment,Community and Local Government is committed to strengthening the building controlsystem and has asked for proposals to enhance the system to be brought forward at anearly date.Retrofitting8.13 The promotion of independent living is supported by the availability of State fundedadaptation grants to assist people with disabilities and older people to make their homesmore accessible. These schemes are an important element in the continuum of care forpeople with disabilities and this is reflected in the resources committed to the schemes inrecent years. Total expenditure has increased from €27.6 million in 2000 with some 3,600households benefiting, to €98.9 million in 2010 and over 13,800 households benefiting. Thecapital provision for the operation of the grant schemes in 2011 is €79.5 million 55 . Thisrepresents a significant amount of funding at a time when the housing capital provision hasdeclined sharply and is likely to continue to be restricted for the foreseeable future. Table8.3 details expenditure on the housing adaptation grants from 2000 to 2010.54S.I. No. 513 of 2010, available on www.environ.ie55This does not include expenditure by local authorities on improving and extending their own social housingstock.85