Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I join colleagues in sending condolences to my Labour Party colleague, Senator Annie Hoey, on the passing of her father, Ray. As colleagues said, our thoughts and prayers are with the family on this day.

I want to raise two issues. The first is an urgent request for a debate with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the proposed review of housing aid and housing adaptation grants administered by local authorities. My office, particularly in recent months, has received an increasing number of calls from constituents stating the grants and assistance being offered do not cover the increased building costs and are no longer fit for purpose. In one case, the cheapest quote the person dealing with my office received was more than 200% above the maximum grant payment, which is €30,000. The quote that person sought was for the works recommended by the local authority's occupational therapist. The person had engaged with five different contractors to try to get a cheaper quote. The problem many people in Kildare and, I am sure, throughout the country are having is that the amounts being offered by the local authorities are falling well short of the increasing quotes they are getting. This is having a knock-on effect. In some cases I am dealing with, the applicants have to remain in hospital because the family cannot afford the cost of the works to bring them home. In an increasing number of cases, the people can no longer live in their own home, causing an additional cost to the State through the nursing homes subvention scheme. I am turning to another arm of the State and trying to engage the community welfare service to see whether it can come up with the difference to secure these payments and ensure the grants are paid. These issues causing a lot of stress, as the Deputy Leader can imagine, to loved ones at a most difficult time. There is a feeling of helplessness in offering them assistance. I ask her to contact the Minister for a debate.

The other issue I want to raise is the publication of the long-awaited gambling Bill, which is due this month. I ask the Deputy Leader to write to the Minister to ensure the legislation that has been promised for this month will be delivered. Over the summer months, I am sure like other Members, I heard harrowing stories from families whose lives and communities are being torn apart by gambling.