‘People in nursing homes that could be at home’ if housing adaptation grants not halted
A Louth TD has sharply criticised the Government after Louth County Council was forced to pause most housing adaptation grant applications due to funding pressures, describing the situation as a recurring crisis that is leaving vulnerable people without essential supports.
The local authority confirmed last month that it would not be processing any applications further at this time, except for priority one cases, due to the high level of demand.
Sinn Fein TD Joanna Byrne raised the issue in the Dáil this week, where she said there was “a sense of déjà vu speaking on the housing adaption grants again because I spoke on this matter for the same reason last May.”
“For those that need these vital services in Louth, it’s Groundhog Day,” said Deputy Byrne.
“There is a huge need for additional funding and resources for the three Housing Adaptation Grant schemes in Louth. On Friday May 1st, just over one third of the way through the year Louth County Council sent a circular saying they could not accept any more housing adaption grant applications, for anything other than priority one applicants.”
Deputy Byrne stressed that “very few applicants” would be categorised as priority one.
“This is not the first time that Louth County Council had to stop taking applications for these schemes, in 2023 they were paused in April, and again last year.”
“The government have had reviews into the housing adaption grants, they looked at this in detail, but here we are again.”
She added: “Every application represents a person struggling to stay in their own home with the support of loved ones. The fact remains, that local authorities are still under resourced, and it’s our citizens that suffer, unless this government properly funds these schemes.”
Deputy Byrne said the response from the Minister was that it would be looked at in the next budget. “But in the meantime, there are people in nursing homes and hospitals that could and should be at home if there was adequate funding for the housing adaption grants.”
“The governments management of all three Housing Adaptation Grants has been a disaster and I will continue to raise this until they’re properly funded and managed.”