Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Midlands Simon Community's funding has been cut substantially and I was shocked when I saw the letter which detailed it. I agree with the previous speaker that of course the homelessness situation in Dublin, Cork and other such places is worse, but there is homelessness in the four midlands counties and the Midlands Simon Community is trying to firefight. I ask the Minister and the officials to examine it because I was shocked by the figures. I also ask for the grants to be re-examined. Kilkenny received almost three times the amount that Laois did this year for housing grants, mobility aids, housing adaptation and housing aid for older persons, despite the fact the population is only 14% bigger.