Linda Nelson Murray (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will take just a minute and focus on one thing. I fully support this motion, which is very close to all our hearts. A year ago yesterday we lost our dad, who was the most beautiful man. My dad was sick for many years with his heart and hip problems and with cancer but he overcame it all and lived to just short of 88. He loved collecting his pension, going to choir and he loved life. However, the many illnesses he suffered made him less agile, along with 60 years of standing at a bench making furniture, which was a job he absolutely loved. The housing adaptation grant was a game-changer in my dad's life and in all our lives. We had put a bedroom downstairs in the house but he did not have close access to a shower or bathroom and the housing adaptation grant sorted that out.

They say ageing is an extraordinary process where you become the person you always wanted to be. All of us honoured with representing people should ensure we do all we can so our ageing population can live as they want to. I love helping people access this type of funding. In County Meath, €3.5 million was allocated to the housing adaptation grant last year and I reckon the council could have done with twice as much.

As I said, I am going to be short and sweet and ask that we allocate a much higher amount to housing adaptation for our older people. Let them live where they are most comfortable.