Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, to the House. I am glad to see him and I thank him for being here. I have raised this matter to call on the Government to top up the grants provided to Westmeath County Council for the essential repairs scheme for people with a disability. The local authority's budget needs to be topped up so it can help people with a disability. Funding needs to be provided so that essential repairs can be carried out in the homes of disabled people. Simple adjustments can help such people to life lives that are as normal as possible.

The disabled persons grant scheme and the essential repairs grant scheme have come to a virtual standstill in County Westmeath because no money is available. I acknowledge that in previous years, funding has been made available at this time of the year. I ask that the €1 million that is usually provided be made available again this October. It is necessary if the grant schemes I have mentioned are to be administered. The schemes in question assist people who have illnesses like arthritis and angina as well as those who, unfortunately, are terminally ill.

In June of this year, Westmeath County Council wrote to people with disabilities and terminal illnesses. Some of the people in question have been on the waiting lists for these schemes for more than two years. The letter said their applications had been provisionally approved — I emphasise the word "provisionally" — pending the provision of funds from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I tried to put myself in their position. If one has just a limited amount of time to live, one would prefer to be able to stay in the comfort of one's own home with one's loved ones. Certain facilities are needed if one is to be able to do that, however. One might need a downstairs toilet or a downstairs bedroom. It does not cost much to provide these facilities, which contribute greatly to the dignity of the lives of the people in question. If one is suffering from angina, one might be physically incapable of walking up the stairs. In such circumstances, the provision of a downstairs bathroom would add significantly to one's quality of life.

I would like to mention a case I encountered recently. I refer to a lady in her early 50s who had to spend six weeks in an acute hospital after she suffered a stroke which paralysed her on one side. She was transferred to the National Rehabilitation Centre in Dún Laoghaire, where she received excellent care. Her condition improved significantly as a result of the rehabilitative treatment she was given. She was asked to choose between going home and moving to a nursing home, at 50 years of age. She chose to go home and her husband took on the job of caring for her. Her house, which is in a rural area, badly needs to be modified and adjusted in line with her needs. She received a letter last June informing her that her grant application had been provisionally sanctioned. There is no doubt the woman in question would benefit greatly from getting a grant. It would help her to manage and maintain her life.

I ask the Minister of State to consider the allocation of more funds to Westmeath County Council and the other local authorities in the same situation. We need to ensure we do not withdraw support from those who are most needy and vulnerable. It is much better for people to be able to live in their own homes. If we provide for them to be able to live with dignity at home, rather than having to stay in a hospital or nursing home, it will represent a saving to the Exchequer.

I have serious concerns about certain grant schemes which used to be administered by the HSE. Responsibility for the schemes in question has been transferred to the local authority sector. I hate to say it, but schemes seem to be less efficient and more prone to difficulty when they are administered by local authorities. Under the old system, when a patient was being discharged, HSE staff were in a position to go to his or her house to conduct on-the-spot repairs. Hand rails, toilets and ramps could be installed, for example. It seemed that great value for money was achieved in that manner. Most importantly, patients were able to live with dignity in their own homes. I am concerned about the huge waiting list for the disabled persons grant in County Westmeath. The local authorities are being asked to undertake the home improvements for which the HSE was responsible before now. I worry about whether such works will ever be carried out.