Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am grateful for this opportunity to refer to the letters that were issued by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to local authorities last Friday. They announced major, severe and draconian cuts to housing adaption grants and a number of other grants. Last year, the Department allocated approximately €55 million for this important area, yet these grants will now be cut on average by 38%.

I want the Minister to explain why Laois was singled out for one of the worst cuts in the whole country. Last year, we received an allocation of €867,000 from the Department, but this year it has been cut by 76% to €208,000. The council provides its own 20% matching funds.

These housing adaption grants are for people with disabilities to help install access ramps, stair-lifts, downstair toilet facilities and showers. The scheme for housing aid for older people is to help those in poor housing conditions to make the necessary repairs so they can stay in their own homes. The mobility aids housing grant scheme is to allow people to get urgent works carried out, including grab-rails, access ramps, level access showers and stair-lifts. All of these grants have been cut dramatically.

It is noteworthy that the letters went out last Friday to local authorities and there was no public announcement. The letters were issued within 48 hours of the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, announcing the axing of the mobility allowance and the motorised transport grants. Two days after that announcement, the Minister chose not to issue a public statement on her decision to cut these grants by 40% on average. She merely issued a letter to local authorities. As I understand it, the figures are not even available across the country. Each local authority has its own information. At the first opportunity, the Minister should consider a supplementary Estimate for Laois in view of the excessive cut to grants in that county.

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