Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also wish to join in the comments on the candidates going around knocking on doors. I have been around with a lot of our Fine Gael candidates in Roscommon and Galway, and there is a lot of excitement and enthusiasm going up hills, down dales and down boreens. It is great craic. I thank people who take the time to engage, particularly with new candidates coming to people's doors. I really appreciate that people take the time and listen. So many have been telling me that they will take the leaflets and will read them. However, do not forget to vote - which is the most important thing - on Friday, 7 June, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and of course for our European candidates as well.

I raise the increase in funding that has been announced for the housing adaptation grants. It is great to see an increase across Galway and Roscommon, and up to 11% in Roscommon. It is crucial that this fund is about helping people, particularly older people or anyone with a disability, to live at home and in comfort, which is key to this. The challenge we have in the west is that an awful lot of our housing stock is a lot older. If you look at the report from Western Development Commission, only 5% of housing in the western region reaches a BER rating of B2 or over. That is not good enough. That means that homes and houses in rural areas have more challenges, particularly because the housing stock is a lot older and built decades ago.

This fund is crucial, and it is important to highlight it to people and to encourage them to apply. It is up to €8,000 for adaptations such as the roof repairs or heating and wiring but up to about €30,000 for showers. That is, replacing a wet shower or something like that. There are also mobility aids of up to €6,000 for grab rails, access rails and stair lifts in homes as well. Some of these need OT reports but it is crucial that people see and know that these funds are out there, that they can apply for them, and then combine them with the SEAI. If you are getting the fuel allowance, you can also apply and get the fully-funded energy retrofit. The challenge we have is that of course, this is taking time. People can be waiting up to 12 months, so we need more supports. We need higher funds available, and we need to look at the fact that in regional areas, account must be taken and prioritisation made for people who are over 70. If you are over 70, looking for funding for this and you come from an area of deprivation like in the west, you need additional supports.