Housing Needs
Assessment
about
What is a Housing Needs Assessment?
A Housing Needs Assessment is an occupational therapy assessment that looks at how well your home supports your daily life, safety, and independence — and identifies exactly what needs to change if it doesn't.
It's relevant if you or a family member are living with a disability, a long-term illness, reduced mobility, or age-related changes that make everyday tasks like showering, climbing stairs, or getting in and out of the house difficult or unsafe.
During the assessment, an occupational therapist visits the home, observes how you move through and use each space, and produces a clinical report recommending the specific adaptations needed — this report is what your local authority requires before releasing any grant funding.
SCHEMES
What Type of Funding Is Available?
Home adaptation funding in Ireland is administered by your local City or County Council, under grant schemes funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Because scheme thresholds and maximum grant amounts are reviewed periodically, we'd always recommend confirming the current figures with your local authority or on citizensinformation.ie before applying.
There are three main schemes:
1. The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability
Supports larger structural works such as stairlifts, downstairs bathrooms, ramps, and extensions.
2.The Mobility Aids Grant
Aimed at older homeowners needing repairs or improvements related to safety and mobility. All three are means-tested, with the amount awarded depending on household income, and all require a supporting occupational therapist's report as part of the application — which is the assessment we carry out.
3.The Housing Aid for Older People Scheme
Aimed at older homeowners needing repairs or improvements related to safety and mobility. All three are means-tested, with the amount awarded depending on household income, and all require a supporting occupational therapist's report as part of the application — which is the assessment we carry out.
FUNDING
What the Funding Covers?
It's worth understanding that this funding covers two distinct things. First, the assessment itself — the OT's home visit, clinical reasoning, and the written report submitted with your grant application. Second, once approved, the grant contributes towards the actual building work: stairlifts, level-access showers, ramps, widened doorways, grab rails, downstairs bathroom conversions, and other structural changes that make daily life safer and more manageable. The two stages are connected but separately funded — the assessment supports the application, and the grant then funds the physical works recommended in that report.
Why Choose Meaningful OT
This is a service we provide directly at Meaningful OT. Our clinical team carries out these assessments across Cork and further afield, taking the time to understand what genuinely needs to change in your home for you or your family member to live safely and independently — not just working through a generic checklist. We then translate that into a clear, detailed clinical report written specifically to support your local authority grant application, giving it the strongest possible foundation from the outset.
Meaningful OT services are covered by
team
Our Therapists
Padraig
Clinical Specialist
Padraig, our Clinical Specialist, began his career in healthcare with a BA in Social Care from MTU. He worked as a Social Care Worker in residential homes, supporting children from birth to adulthood.
Over his 14 years of professional experience, Padraig has worked with teenagers facing a variety of challenges, including complex trauma, ASD, ADHD, self-harm, and suicidal ideation.
In his role as a Family Support Worker, Padraig focused on parenting assessments with a strong emphasis on infant mental health and practical parenting skills. He mentors young people through the Big Brother program with Foróige, using a trauma-informed approach.
Padraig pursued further education while balancing a full-time career and fatherhood, earning a BSc in Occupational Therapy from University College Cork. Recognising the need for a strengths- and values-based approach in social care, he advanced his studies with a Master’s in Positive and Coaching Psychology, also at University College Cork.
Today, Padraig runs his private practice, The OT Coach, where he offers therapeutic interventions and assessments for young people and adults who have experienced adversity. His specialties include trauma, sensory-attachment, positive psychology, and coaching, making him a trusted professional dedicated to fostering resilience and well-being.
Joy
Therapist
Joy is a dedicated occupational therapist who brings a wealth of experience working with
children and adults across a broad range of health and social care settings. She is deeply
committed to supporting individuals of all ages and abilities, with particular enthusiasm for early
intervention, health promotion and prevention.
Her background includes extensive work in
schools, on paediatric disability teams and involvement in crisis intervention, inpatient care, and community mental health services.
Since 2020, Joy has enriched the academic environment at University College Cork, serving as an assistant lecturer and practice tutor in the Department of Occupational Science and
Occupational Therapy. In this role, she shares her clinical knowledge with the next generation of therapists, guiding students through practical learning and reflective practice.
In research, Joy excels in designing and leading large-scale projects, alongside evaluating
health and community-based initiatives. She brings strong analytical skills and a collaborative
spirit to her work in service development and outcome measurement.
Currently, Joy is pursuing a PhD in mental health occupational therapy, driven by a passion to deepen evidence-based practice and support innovation in mental health care.
Ailis
Senior Occupational Therapist
Ailis brings over 10 years of experience to Meaningful OT, spanning hospital, community, and specialist team settings. Her clinical background includes dedicated work within ADHD-specialised services, and she now works extensively supporting, teenagers, adults, and families — with a particular focus on adult mental health.
With advanced training in trauma-sensitive practice, Ailis is an experienced clinical supervisor, delivering supervision and running workshops and wellness sessions for organisations across a range of settings. She works flexibly with clients online, in the community, and in clinic, adapting her approach to what works best for each person.
Ailis's clinical interest lies in the connection between body and mind. Understanding the vital role movement plays in supporting wellbeing, she works with clients to build meaningful occupations and participation — helping individuals and families live fuller lives, rooted in joy and meaning.
Saoirse
Therapist
Saoirse graduated from the National University of Ireland, Galway in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. Since then, she has worked in Vietnam, London, and Abu Dhabi before returning home to Ireland, gaining experience across a range of mental health, educational, and paediatric settings.
Over the past eight years, Saoirse has worked with adults and children within mental health services, mainstream and special education schools, and paediatric clinics. She has supported people with a wide range of physical, developmental, sensory, and mental health needs, and has developed a particular passion for trauma-informed, neuro-affirming practice.
Saoirse believes that the heart of good therapy is connection. She is passionate about building genuine, trusting relationships where people feel safe, understood, and empowered to be their authentic selves. Her approach is client-centred and strengths-based, working collaboratively with each person to build on their unique strengths and achieve goals that are meaningful to them.
Above all, Saoirse is passionate about helping people rediscover what brings them joy. She believes occupational therapy is about more than developing skills, it's about supporting people to participate in the activities, relationships, and experiences that give life meaning and fulfilment. Her goal is to help every client build confidence, feel connected, and experience authentic joy in their everyday lives.
admin team
Our Change Supporters
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Jane
Operations Manager
At the heart of Meaningful OT is Jane, our Operations Manager — and honestly, "administrative staff" doesn't come close to capturing what she brings to this team.
Jane is the person ensuring every one of our clients' needs is met to the highest and most efficient standard, bringing a wealth of skill and genuine care to everything she touches.
But what truly sets her apart is that she lives by the same values we ask of every member of our team: a deep understanding of relationships, connection, and the therapeutic journey itself. Jane is passionate about living a meaningful life and chasing what matters most — and that passion is exactly why she's part of our team.
She helps us facilitate the very passions our clients hold, or may have lost along the way, with the same care and dedication she brings to her own life. We are so grateful to have her.
testimonials
What Our Clients Say
"The trauma talk was a game-changer for our staff. Practical, engaging, and deeply moving. We left with real strategies to support our students".
Sarah, Residential Team
"Padraig's session on ADHD and parenting was the best we’ve ever had. He made complex topics easy to understand, and our team felt empowered and inspired".
Claire, Family Support Worker
"The OT Coach team brought warmth and expertise to our workplace well-being day. Our team felt truly seen and supported".
Liam, Youth organisation
