Stairlifts · 10 September 2026
Stairlift grant in Ireland: what the council actually pays, county by county
Quick answer
A new straight stairlift costs €2,200 to €5,000 fitted. A curved one, €5,000 to €10,000. If the owner and spouse earn under €37,500, the Housing Adaptation Grant pays 100% of the approved cost (up to €40,000). For a simple stairlift the Mobility Aids Grant (up to €8,000, same income limit) is usually faster. The rules are the same in every county. The waiting time is not: 5 to 9 weeks in most counties, 8 to 12 in Dublin. Get council approval before the stairlift goes in, or there is no grant.
What a stairlift costs in 2026
- Straight stairlift: €2,200 to €5,000 fitted. One flight, no turns.
- Curved stairlift: €5,000 to €10,000 fitted. The rail is made to measure for the turn or landing, which is where the money goes.
- Outdoor stairlift: €3,500 to €6,500 fitted.
Servicing is €80 to €150 a year. Our stairlift guide covers the types, the brands sold here and how to choose.
The grant only pays for new equipment from an approved installer. A second-hand stairlift from Done Deal is not covered, however good it is.
Two grants, and which one to use
Both come from the county council. Both need approval before the work starts. You cannot claim both for the same stairlift.
Mobility Aids Grant, up to €8,000
The quick one. For basic mobility work: stairlifts, grab rails, ramps, a level access shower. Household income must be under €37,500. It usually covers close to 100% of the cost. Less paperwork, and most councils turn it round faster. For a straight stairlift in a normal house, this is the grant to ask for.
Housing Adaptation Grant, up to €40,000
The big one. For anything bigger than a stairlift, or where the stairlift is part of a wider job (stairlift plus bathroom, say), or where household income is above €37,500. It pays a percentage that falls as income rises:
| Gross household income (owner and spouse) | Share of approved cost paid | Maximum grant |
|---|---|---|
| Up to €37,500 | 100% | €40,000 |
| €37,501 to €43,750 | 85% | €34,000 |
| €43,751 to €50,000 | 75% | €30,000 |
| €50,001 to €62,500 | 50% | €20,000 |
| €62,501 to €75,000 | 30% | €12,000 |
| Over €75,000 | Not eligible | n/a |
Income is the owner's and spouse's gross income for the previous tax year. Not everyone in the house. A daughter living at home does not count against her mother.
A worked example
A couple in Kildare, both retired, joint income €33,000. Curved stairlift quoted at €6,800.
- Income is under €37,500, so the rate is 100%.
- Council approves the lowest of the three quotes, say €6,800.
- Grant: €6,800. Cost to the family: nothing on the stairlift itself.
Same couple, income €48,000. Rate drops to 75%. Grant €5,100, family pays €1,700. Still worth doing.
Ask the council how it treats VAT on the quote. A separate VAT refund (form VAT 61A) may also be available on the stairlift for a person with a disability.
What every council asks for
- The council's own application form (HG1 or the local equivalent), signed.
- An Occupational Therapist report recommending the stairlift. Mandatory for any stairlift. HSE or private, explained here.
- Three written quotes from installers. The council works off the lowest reasonable one. How to get them.
- Proof of income for the owner and spouse (P21 or Statement of Liability, pension statements).
- Proof of ownership, and a Local Property Tax receipt.
- Tax clearance if the grant is over €10,000 (unlikely for a stairlift alone).
Then the council technician visits, approves, and the installer goes ahead. The grant is paid on completion, usually straight to the installer.
County by county: how long it takes
This is the part the official pages will not tell you. The rules are national. The queue is local. These are the typical times from a complete application to a decision, from our county guides, not counting the OT wait.
The OT report is the slow bit almost everywhere. HSE community OT waits run from about 2 months in the North West and Midlands to 6 months in parts of Dublin and Galway. A private OT costs €250 to €450, reports inside two weeks, and the grant refunds up to €300 of it. How to use the private route.
Three ways people lose the grant
- Fitting the stairlift first. No approval, no grant. Every council, every time. If a fall makes it urgent, ring the council and ask for an emergency assessment. Do not just buy it.
- One quote instead of three. The application sits until the other two arrive.
- Applying in the wrong name. The application is in the name of the person with the mobility need, or the homeowner on their behalf. Not the son who is paying.
Common questions
How much is the stairlift grant in Ireland?
Under the Mobility Aids Grant up to €8,000, under the Housing Adaptation Grant up to €40,000. With household income under €37,500 the council pays 100% of the approved cost of the stairlift.
Can I get a grant for a second-hand stairlift?
No. Both the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Adaptation Grant only cover new equipment fitted by an approved installer.
How long does a stairlift grant take?
Typically 5 to 9 weeks from a complete application in most counties, 6 to 10 in the larger ones, and 8 to 12 weeks in Dublin. The OT report wait comes on top of that.
Can I fit the stairlift and claim the grant afterwards?
No. The council must approve the application before the work starts. Work done before approval is not grant aided in any county.
See what the grant would pay for your stairlift
Put in the household income and the county. The free checker shows your tier, the likely grant and what is left to pay. Two minutes, no email needed.
Check my stairlift grant →