Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand this is an important matter, particularly when dealing with somebody with a disability who needs access to State supports. The Government has protected the allocations for this grants scheme to ensure those with a disability will have access to grant aid through their local authorities. The implementation and delivery of the scheme are the responsibility of the housing authority, which is the local authority. If what the Senator said is correct - I have no reason to doubt him - there is an element of dysfunction in the housing authority in question. I suggest it is a matter for the local authority to take it up as a matter of policy with its strategoc housing policy committee to see how improvements can be made in the delivery of allocations and how they are spent in order to ensure better accountability and efficiency and, more importantly, that we deliver for those disabled persons who badly need access to these funds.