Disability and mobility grant cuts
Michael Healy-Rae argues that severe cuts to disability and mobility-aid grants, including a 56% reduction in Kerry, may increase hospital costs and seeks additional funding; the Chair directs him to parliamentary questions.
It is good to see the Minister for Finance in charge of the country for the next week or ten days. With regard to the massive cuts to housing grants for people with disabilities and to mobility aid grants, I would like to point out-----
Comment on this
Yes; there is a point to what I am saying. Because of these cuts, people will now have to stay in hospitals rather then return home. Therefore, from a financial point of view the cuts will not save the State money. For example, in County Kerry we were cut by 56%. This will not save the State money. Is there any chance that more money can be made available for people who receive disability and mobility aids grants? I am not talking about housing improvement grants for older people. I am aware the Finance Bill has moved from this House to the Seanad, but some allowance should be made for a top-up grant to all local authorities throughout the country for this. This will save money.