Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

A slash in capital budgets is not the answer. This is a time when the Government should be considering labour-intensive projects and these grants were a great incentive and stimulus to small contractors, many of which will make the point they actually kept them in business. It is typical of the current Administration that it is not looking at the bigger picture as disabled people or elderly people who cannot have the required works done to their houses will end up in long-term nursing home care. That will cost the State €800 per week when in some instances, all these people seek are grants of €2,000, €3,000 or €4,000 to get their houses adapted to meet their needs. A reserve of €2 million simply is not enough. The Minister of State must return to the Department where my colleague has highlighted areas in which she should seek additional resources. All Deputy Fleming and I are asking is to give elderly people and disabled people a sense of dignity in order that they can live in modest comfort for the rest of their lives.

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