Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I, too, welcome the Minister of State to the House on what is a very busy day for her and everybody in Leinster House. I also thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this Commencement matter. McCauley Court is a lovely development of ten units - ten houses and family homes - on the grounds of St. Vincent's Hospital in Athy. It is an issue I have followed for a number of years, probably since I was first elected as a councillor to Kildare County Council. At the moment, there are ten units in this development, four of which are occupied but six are unoccupied. This older persons' sheltered accommodation has been unoccupied for at least ten years in a housing crisis. As the Minister of State just asked - why? In March, stage 4 funding was mentioned by the Government, which was welcomed by all. I welcome any investment in housing in Kildare South, given the crisis there. I was told this was the be-all and end-all, that an approved housing body had been identified which agreed to do the work, take over the development and running of the ten units and that both Kildare County Council and the HSE were on board. I have followed up since then. Insulation has not been put in and heating has not been upgraded. In fact, residents of the estate do not know when the development will happen.

I have visited a number of these houses. I spoke to the four gentlemen who live in those houses over a number of years. The conditions the four of them are living in are unacceptable. In the winter months, they spend between €400 and €500 on the ESB every two months. They are four pensioners. They spend this money because they cannot heat their homes. They have to turn on their storage heaters two hours before they go to bed to heat the room they sleep in. That, combined with the fact that they already pay €60 a week rent - €45 in two other cases - is unacceptable.

McCauley Court is a prime example of what we can do for our older generation. There are ten houses, four occupied and six unoccupied. It is in a great location on the grounds of St. Vincent's Hospital in Athy. It is in the heart of the town, where people can meet friends and socialise. This is the ideal model of what older persons' living should be but, for at least five years, six premises have been vacant in the middle of a housing crisis. I hope the Minister of State will bring some good news to the four residents and the many people who have contacted me and every public representative in Kildare South who want to perhaps downsize and become a resident of one of the six vacant units. I am struggling to get answers. I am told by Kildare County Council that the blockage is with the HSE; I have not had any good news yet from the HSE. I hope today in her response the Minister of State will give good news to the four residents and the people of Kildare South that there is hope for this housing crisis, for those on a long list in Kildare County Council and for those who want and, most importantly, need sheltered housing.