Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move: "The the Bill be now read a Second Time."

The purpose of this Bill is to ensure that local authorities administrating the housing adaptation grant for people with a disability shall, as far as is practicable, process applications for the grant within a period of not more than four weeks from the date of receipt of the application. By application, I mean the date on which the application form and all relevant documentation is received by the local authority, which will include an occupational therapist's report recommending the work and the estimates of costs from certified contractors, in conjunction with required medical documentation. If necessary, which will depend on the nature of the proposed work, an architect or engineer's report should also be submitted. All information should be gathered by the applicant and submitted together so that it can be checked and improved within the shortest possible time. I propose that the time should be a period of four weeks. City or county councils should set out clearly all documents required so that applicants can gather them together and submit them at the one time. What is happening now is that application forms are submitted and people then have to submit other documentation. Things go to and fro and the process is taking forever.

We are bringing this Bill forward because we have been made aware that many people with disabilities and older people require adaptations to be made to their home as a result of mobility issues due to an accident, illness or age. They are often unable to live in their own homes until the required works are carried out. The work may involve a downstairs bedroom or bathroom, a level access shower, ramps to allow entry to a house for wheelchair users, grab rails, stairlifts, etc. With the addition of extra rooms or changes to the layout of a house, people can remain in their homes which is always the preferable option. However, because of the unacceptable waiting time for grants many people require an extended stay in hospital or have to relocate to a nursing home for a period of time which can be costly for the people affected and their families and, frequently, costs the State money. An additional stay in hospital is an extra cost to the State because hospital beds that other people are waiting on are taken up. Some 200,000 bed days were lost in 2018 due to delayed discharges. While all of them may not have been due to unsuitable accommodation, some certainly were.

As an aside, I am aware that the lack of contractors and increased cost of construction materials are having an adverse affect on this grant scheme. I hope that measures can be taken to address this and that the grant is increased to meet additional costs. Someone was recently approved for a grant of €30,000, the maximum grant, but the job will cost €48,000. There is no way the person can afford an additional €18,000. The person tried to secure a loan, but is not eligible. This is not what the Bill is about, but I am pointing out a problem that currently exists.

Many who have applied for the grant have been forced to wait months for approval. I am aware of one woman who was unable to use the bath in her house as a result of knee problems and had to wash herself at a sink or go to a relative's home for a shower. I know of another woman who is petrified of getting into the bath as she has an issue with balance and eyesight. She has already fallen and hit her head getting out of the bath. She requires a level access shower and has waited months for approval.

The Covid pandemic has undoubtedly increased waiting times, and this is unacceptable. It is having an unfair and disproportionate impact on older people and people with disabilities, and this needs to be addressed urgently. Many people are struggling on a day-to-day basis and something like a stairlift or level access shower could make a difference.

I am disappointed by the Government amendment which seeks to delay the Bill for a year. It is about reorganising an application process. It does not involve additional finance. It is about making an application process faster and more streamlined. By delaying this Bill, the Government is basically denying the rights of people with disabilities and older people to live in their homes with the necessary modifications that allow them to live independently.

See this speech in context