Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

What is positive about the Bill is that it is trying to keep people in their own homes and out of nursing homes and hospitals. We know the social and psychological benefits of this as well as the economic benefits. The difficulties I have encountered include that the level of documentation required is often very problematic for the applicant. While we know people of various ages apply for the housing adaptation grant the general demographic is older people, and when we look at the extent of the paperwork, red tape and emails it is very difficult. People might have a family member who can assist them but sometimes they do not. I wonder about the old-fashioned phone service with a real person at the end of the phone. Could this be put in place when it is necessary?

The turnaround time is also problematic. People qualify for a housing adaptation grant for a reason. The condition or disability warrants whatever improvements must be carried out to improve the quality of life. The illnesses and disabilities do not stand still while the documentation is being filled in and the application is going through the system. We know people have had to try to make do by bringing a bed downstairs, probably in a very small space, and using a commode. This makes life very unpleasant.

As has been said, there are people who cannot afford to pay for private therapy and we need to look at the availability of occupational therapists.

We know people feel comfortable in their own homes because that is where their friends, neighbours and community services are, whether day care centres or meals on wheels. There is a responsibility to try to keep people in their homes as much as possible. It is a much more caring approach.

We do not want the hassle that the housing adaptation grant system is at present. I must say that in the dealings my office has had with Dublin City Council we have found the staff to be very engaging, helpful and professional. It is fine to have individuals who are helpful but the process needs to be revamped to make the system much more efficient, timely and responsive to people when they have needs and not what we have seen, whereby the adaptation grant is provided but not until after the person has passed on or has had to go into a hospital or nursing home.

We could also look at extensions to houses. We know about the housing crisis and overcrowding. Some houses have the space to extend, whether at the back or side, and we could look at this because it would remove people from the housing list if they could have their own door on part of the land they have. We are looking for efficiency for ease of access for those who really need it and that it is addressed in a timely way.

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