Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Deputy Stanley that we want to keep people in their homes if at all possible and that relatively small amounts of money sometimes make the difference. That is why I am examining the upper limit, which is €30,000. We cannot change the limit for those who have already been approved, but it may be different in future. We are looking at it on an immediate basis to determine whether it would make sense to reduce the upper limit in order to spread a greater number of grants of smaller amounts in order to keep more people in their homes. I agree fully with Deputy Stanley in this regard. I remarked that we have a contingency fund and we will certainly be examining Laois as well as other counties in some months' time to determine whether it is appropriate that they should get further funding. I understand the position in Laois is different to that in other counties.

See this speech in context