Local Authorities Deny Maintenance To Elderly & Disabled - FG

A Fine Gael spokesman has said underfunded local authorities are denying maintenance grants to the elderly and disabled.

Fine Gael TD Billy Timmins said the elderly and the disabled have been refused funding from their local authorities for the grants because the Government has not committed enough funding to cover all the successful applications.

The Minister said: "The recent revelations of those approved for grants under the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes who were then refused funding due to lack of resources is nothing short of a national disgrace.

"Several people who were approved for a grant scheme have been informed in recent days they cannot go ahead with their proposed work."

Mr Timmins added that local authorities stated no more funding is available for the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes and they are now refusing to process applications.

In an answer to a Daíl question on the matter, a spokesman for the department of the environment said: "[The] Department made a combined capital allocation of €71.4 million to all local authorities on 21 May for the operation of the adaptation grant schemes in private houses in 2008.

"The schemes are funded by 80% recoupment available from my Department, together with 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority. It is a matter for each local authority to decide on the level of funding to be provided for the schemes from within the combined allocation notified to them and to manage the operation of the schemes from within this allocation."

(DW)