Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

For almost a year and a half now, Charles Murray in Athlone has been living in a nursing home following a stroke because his private rented accommodation is no longer suitable. Despite representations and interventions by occupational therapists, physiotherapists and a medical social worker, the response from the local authority to date has been that there are no properties available but that the family qualifies for homeless housing assistance payment, HAP. This family is not homeless. Tragic events have resulted in a long-term medical need that requires adapted housing. The reality now is that a family is separated by the loss of a parent from the family home. Mr. Murray is missing out on proper recovery from his stroke. His recovery is stalling because the nursing home cannot provide the therapies he urgently needs. I ask the Minister to intervene in this case. Mr. Murray wants to go home. His children want him home. In the words of his own wife, he belongs at home.

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