Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)

I seek from the Minister an assurance in response to the genuine concern that the housing aid for the elderly programme is about to collapse because it is a victim of its own success. There is real concern among people who are old, ill or disabled that the badly needed stair lift, bathroom conversion, downstairs toilet or extension will not happen because the money is not with the local authorities. At this stage a number of local authorities have spent their allocation and the budget has been exhausted. This is a scheme that provides for the most vulnerable in society. It is incredible that half way through the year elderly people, disabled people and people with illnesses should be told they will have to wait until 2009 in the middle of an economic downturn. This needs to be seriously addressed in the House tonight.

The budget for Cork City Council has gone from €1.827 million to €1.855 million, an increase of almost €30,000, which is the equivalent of perhaps three stair lifts or a bathroom conversion and a stair lift. It would not be enough to cover a ground-floor extension. Should we really accept that the measurement of the increase would not even cover the cost of a downstairs extension? I hope that the Minister of State will indicate this evening that these costs will be met this year. These schemes allow elderly, disabled and sick people to continue living in their homes. It is a scheme that works and provides a long-term benefit. It is an efficient scheme when measured against the cost of elderly and disabled people not being able to live at home.

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