Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I will raise this issue concerning the courthouse with the Minister for Justice. I spend a lot of money in my Department refurbishing empty courthouses and repurposing them for other uses, but I take the Deputy's point and I will raise it with the Minister for Justice.

Regarding Deputy Healy-Rae's question, yes, he is correct. These grants have been at the same amount of money since I went onto Monaghan County Council, and that was not today or yesterday. The maximum for one of them is €30,000, I think. The Deputy is correct that these grants need to be reviewed and they are being reviewed. I will raise this matter with the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, whom I understand has responsibility for this area. I will raise this issue with him because these grants make a difference. This is especially the case for people who need their houses adapted because they are getting older. It is very welcome that the grant in this regard exists and it is a great one. The only problem is that it runs out too quickly. The funding could be gone by the middle of the year because it could all be allocated already. There is a big demand for it. I take on board what the Deputy said in this regard.

On the late Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, he was a great advocate for older people as well. He was a great ambassador for this country and he will be very much missed.

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