Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

While there is no doubt we need new homes, as the Minister is aware, I have long advocated the release of vacant homes to assist those in urgent need of housing. I have argued that we have streets in our towns and villages that have not had a football kicked on them for a generation. Many of these have vacant family homes close to schools and services with high-speed broadband outside the door. My proposal for the introduction of the vacant home refurbishment grant, which the Minister steered through the Government, is now beginning to yield tangible benefits. I thank him for taking up this initiative. Furthermore, I have highlighted the unjust triple taxation imposed on older people in long-term nursing home care who choose to rent out their homes. I am pleased to acknowledge the Government's actions this week to dismantle these barriers. This change has the potential to introduce an additional 3,115 rental properties on the market. There were initial concerns that this policy might inadvertently pressure older people into long-term nursing home care. However, in a response to me last March, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, assured Dáil Éireann there were no concerns regarding the thoroughness of the existing independent medical assessments for care needs conducted by the HSE prior to nursing home admission. This crucial point has been overlooked in much of the public debate on this matter.

I also commend the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys, on her prompt action in extending the rent-a-room relief to social welfare recipients interested in renting out a spare room in their homes. It was a suggestion I made in light of the potential benefits. This initiative is not only about providing essential housing but also offers companionship and enhances security and provides peace of mind, which can be invaluable to older people. Thanks to this scheme, older people may now earn €269.23 weekly or €14,000 annually by renting out a room without affecting their non-State contributory pension or the benefits of a spouse or adult dependant of a contributory pensioner. However, to fully capitalise on this opportunity and create additional accommodation, we must address the existing medical card barrier currently hindering many older people from participating in this scheme. At present, pensioners aged under 70 or any social welfare recipient who receive an additional income face the prospect of losing their medical card. This has now become a barrier to releasing vacant rooms to meet our current housing needs and this is a point I highlighted last March. The medical card income limits have not increased since 2005. This is denying people on low incomes access to affordable healthcare, barring them from employment opportunities and blocking the release of vacant rooms. Will the Minister intervene?

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