Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an nGrúpa Réigiúnach as an rún seo a chur as comhair na Dála. It is very welcome we are having this discussion because we all know the benefit of these grants. I have to say in particular that I often come across the big difference the housing aid for older people grant makes in people's lives. In many cases it involves small simple things that need to be done but they make a massive difference to those people who are getting older. They need small little jobs done to be able to access their homes better. We know it is getting more difficult to get contractors to take on these very small jobs. This is one issue I have come across quite regularly in my clinics. Another issue, as has been said already, is with regard to the many requests being made but no availability in certain councils, such as Galway County Council, to do them.

Tá sé tábhachtach go bhfuil seo á phlé againn mar tuigimid cé chomh tábhachtach is atá na deontais seo. Tá brú aisteach ar chomhairlí áirithe agus tá a fhios agam go bhfuil brú ollmhór ar Chomhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe, i mo Dháilcheantar, mar gheall ar na deontais a rinne sí leis seo agus tá brú uirthi mar gheall nach bhfuil dóthain airgid aici ar aon chuma. Tuigimid cé chomh tábhachtach is a bhfuil na deontais seo do na hathruithe beaga go bhféadfaí a dhéanamh i dtithe. Go háirithe táim ag smaoineamh ar na daoine atá níos sine. Ní theastaíonn uathu ach athrú beag bídeach agus déanann sin difríocht ollmhór. Tá sé go maith go bhfuil seo á phlé inniu ach caithimid a chinntiú go bhfuil na hacmhainní ar fad ag na comhairlí contae chun dul i ngleic leis seo.

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