Stairlift & home adaptation grants in Ireland — complete 2026 guide

Last updated: 30 April 2026 · Sources: Citizens Information, gov.ie, individual local authorities

If you or a family member needs a stairlift, platform lift, or other home adaptation in Ireland, there is a strong chance the State will pay for most or all of it. Two grant schemes do almost all the work — the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme and the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability. This guide explains both in plain English, walks you through the application, and gives you the contact for every county council.

1. The two grant schemes compared

Most stairlift buyers apply for the Mobility Aids Grant — it is faster and well-suited to a single product. Larger works, including most platform lifts and through-floor lifts, are better served by the Housing Adaptation Grant.

2. Eligibility and means testing

Both grants are means-tested on the gross household income of the person who needs the adaptation, plus that person's spouse, partner or cohabitant. Adult children's income is excluded. The percentage of approved costs covered tapers as income rises.

Reflects the December 2024 revised HAG scheme. Mobility Aids Grant has its own simpler scale capped at €30,000 income / €8,000 maximum grant. New builds (less than 12 months old) are capped at half the HAG maximum (€20,000). Use the eligibility checker for an instant tailored figure.

You also need to meet these conditions

• The home must be your principal private residence (the place you live full-time).
• You must own the property, or have the owner's written permission if renting privately.
• You or someone in the household must have a disability or mobility condition requiring the adaptation.
• Property tax (LPT) must be up to date.
• Tax affairs must be in order (tax clearance may be requested).

3. What GrantHub handles for you

The application process is genuinely difficult — that's why we built this service. You don't fill in a council form, chase the OT, or coordinate quotes. We do all of that for you.

1. You check your eligibility. Free, 30 seconds. Run the eligibility checker to see what % of cost the grant will cover for your household.
2. You sign up for the application pack. €299 for the Housing Adaptation Grant; €149 for the Mobility Aids Grant. Both flat fees, no add-ons.
3. You upload your supporting documents. Proof of income, proof of ownership, LPT, tax clearance, ID. We send you a checklist; takes about an hour to gather.
4. We coordinate the OT report. Either via the HSE (free, slower) or a private OT (up to €300 reimbursed by the grant). We sort the appointment and chase the report.
5. We source the three required quotes. From vetted installers in your county. Itemised, tax-clearance compliant, ready for council submission.
6. We complete and assemble the application. County-specific form filled in correctly, supporting documents organised, ready to file.
7. You receive the finished pack. You file it with your council. The council issues a written decision letter, typically within 4–12 weeks.
8. The work is scheduled. After written approval, the installer fits the equipment. You pay the installer the difference between the approved cost and the grant amount — the grant goes directly to you against the installer's invoice.

4. The OT report — what it is and how to get one

An occupational therapist (OT) is a registered healthcare professional who assesses how well a person can carry out daily tasks in their home environment, then recommends adaptations. The OT report is the medical evidence councils use to confirm the proposed work is necessary.

Free HSE OT assessment

Contact your local HSE Primary Care Occupational Therapy service by phone. Tell them you need an assessment for a stairlift or home adaptation grant application. Waiting times vary widely by area — Dublin and Cork city tend to be longer (sometimes 6+ months); rural and smaller counties often quicker.

Private OT (faster)

If the HSE waiting list is too long, you can hire a private OT registered with CORU. Cost typically €150–€300. Claim up to €300 back as part of your grant application.

5. How each council accepts applications

The Housing Adaptation Grant is administered by your local council, and every council runs the process slightly differently. Out of the 31 local authorities in Ireland, only one (South Dublin) has a true online portal. The rest require you to download a PDF, complete it, and submit it by post or email.

The application has to come from the family — the council needs the signed form from the applicant directly. Our service prepares the complete, council-ready pack; you file it.

As part of our service we identify the exact correct submission route for your specific council, prepare the application accordingly, and tell you precisely what to do with the finished pack. You file it; we make sure it's correct.

6. Apply by county council

Each council runs its own grants section. Click your county for the application form, contact details, and any local rules.

Northern Ireland uses a different scheme (Disabled Facilities Grant via the Northern Ireland Housing Executive). We do not currently cover NI.

7. Common mistakes that delay or void grants

1. Starting works before approval. Voids the grant. No exceptions.
2. Submitting only one or two quotes. Three written quotes are required by the council, no shortcuts.
3. Using an installer without tax clearance. Their quote will be rejected.
4. Missing OT report. The most common cause of returned applications.
5. LPT or tax arrears. Even small balances will hold up a grant.
6. Not declaring all household income. Means-test failures are recoverable; misstatements are not.
7. Forgetting to inform the council on completion. The grant only pays after you submit completion paperwork.

8. FAQs