Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for the reply. The answers I receive from the SEAI are that it takes up to 24 months. We also have a situation whereby people have an expectation but are being told they have to wait two years for the inspection. There seems to be a huge amount hinged on the fact that all of this has to be carried out by the SEAI. I cannot understand why local authorities are not being used. They administer the housing adaption grants and the mobility aid grants. Why can this not be administered at that level? We have also created more bureaucracy because the SEAI has to approve the contractors, when most contractors doing this work are already approved in one way or another and can certify their own works. It would make for greater efficiency and greater speed in getting the works done. I ask the Minister to consider reviewing all of this in light of the fact there is huge demand and there is a budget. How much of the budget will not be spent this year and will be carried over?

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