Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming in here today. Last year in the budget the Government allocated €93 million for the housing adaptation grant for older people and those with disabilities. I welcome that. I also welcome the increase in the grant to €40,000, which means it is a 100% grant for those earning under €37,000. The extra €10,000 was a great move, and I think it is adequate.

However, the process can be cumbersome for persons seeking the housing adaptation grant. They must get two written quotes. They must get builders to visit. As the Minister of State is probably aware, we have a shortage of builders in this country this moment. It is also very tough to get a builder to do the work. People must also get certificates from their doctor.People do not need a certificate from their doctor, or to meet any other medical requirement, to access housing aids, but they need it to qualify for the housing adaptation grant. Will the Minister of State please consider getting rid of that requirement? Clerks of works can go to someone's home and see that he or she is suffering from dementia. They can see the situation of people in their 80s, like Linda's father. They do not need people to meet all the requirements that are being asked for in regard to occupational therapists and doctor's certificates. If the Minister of State would consider dropping the medical requirement for the housing adaptation grant, it would be a very worthy change.

Following Storm Éowyn, there were calls in the Chamber for the provision of a generator to every house. That is not practical. The ESB has on its website information regarding a toolkit for the elderly. The Minister of State might consider providing funding for that emergency kit through the community alert or age friendly groups. It includes things like flashlights, candles, a battery radio, a 120 V adapter for car charging and water, which people could buy with the funding.

In Duleek, we have an absolutely fantastic age friendly housing scheme, via the church, located near the shops and the medical centre. We need more affordable housing and provision for affordable downsizing. Let us imagine the capacity that could be given to families if more age friendly housing schemes were provided in communities.

Some people do not want to retire and are happy to keep working. They want to contribute, no matter whether it is for ten or 15 hours a week or whatever else. We need to look at how we can adapt taxation policies to favour the older people who contribute so much to our society. We lose a wealth of knowledge when CEOs and so on retire. Those people could go into a charity tomorrow morning and make a contribution. The taxation of their pension should be reduced. Let us make the working environment attractive economically to give older people the option to keep working should they want to do so.