Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the point the Minister made in conclusion and that the VAT can be reclaimed by a family member, but it is also the case the elderly or disabled person must have the money in the first instance to pay the contractor. One of the difficulties for many of the people we meet who require these grants is they do not have adequate finance to make this payment in the first instance.

I commend what the Minister has done on the home renovation scheme, which has been positive with regard to what it has done for properties and generating employment, particularly for small builders throughout the country. I am aware of the use and the potential of the mobility scheme grants and the housing adaptation grants. I am simply stating to the Minister that there are plenty of situations in which the moneys required to adapt houses are in excess of the amount payable under these grants, particularly where people with dementia are concerned. People with dementia very often require a member of the family to be in residence on a full-time basis to support them. In these circumstances there is a dichotomy, in so far as the old person may not have the money to pay the charge upfront and recoup the VAT but the younger person is not the house owner and therefore cannot avail of the home renovation scheme. There should be sufficient flexibility, because I suspect the number of people who fall into this category is not inordinate. It could be extended somewhat so these schemes could be used together to the ultimate benefit of retaining a person with dementia in the community, where we know people with dementia want to be and where we know they can get the best quality care.

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