Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of housing adaptation grants and the discretion of local authorities to sort out issues. It is Government policy to keep people in their homes as long as possible. I am working with a 103-year-old lady, who has an excellent family. She had some minor work done in the past two years to have her home’s roof and heating fixed, and she came to me a few weeks ago about getting her windows and doors refitted because of the cost of heating and her age. The council has told me it will not carry out any more works, but I have told the council this lady is 103 years old. If she had been living in a nursing home in recent years, it would have cost thousands of euro, and keeping people in their homes is part of our Government policy. I ask that discretion is given to local authorities. It is the same with housing adaptation grants in respect of children with disabilities, including autism. Again, there is no discretion there and this has become one of the biggest issues I have faced in recent months.

The other issue I raise relates to modular builds, which the Taoiseach and the Minister have spoken about. Will the Taoiseach update us on it? Many of these builds can be completed within 11 days and it is important we get them done as quickly as possible.

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