Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Much has been said about the provision of housing but there are blockages caused by the Department. In the context of grant aid for the elderly, the age was increased to 66 years when, previously, people in their 50s were considered eligible to apply. People are presenting now but there is no grant to cover them. If one is 50 years of age or over, it is unlikely that one will get a job if one is unemployed so the age criteria need to be reduced.

The improvement works in lieu grant is really a loan rather than a grant. That is not working because one of the stipulations is that in order to be considered for it, the walls of a house have to be built with cavity blocks. If one has a house with cavity walls, that is fine but the walls that need to be addressed are old stone walls. The grant must be expanded to allow people with old stone walls to qualify for the improvement works in lieu grant.

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