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Dáil
‹ Order of Business

Disability housing adaptation grants

Summary

Deputy Broughan highlights a two-year backlog in housing adaptation grants, including a double-amputee constituent’s case, and asks about additional funding. The Tánaiste says the spring statement will not include Supplementary Estimates but will make inquiries.

With regard to the spring statement next week, will there be any Supplementary Estimates for services that have huge backlogs? I refer in particular to the adaptation grants for citizens with disabilities. In the Dublin City Council area there is a two year waiting list. A number of my constituents are desperately in need of housing adaptations. One constituent, Mr. Jack Lynam, is a double amputee who has been treated in hospital and his family must wait for two years, until 2017 or 2018, to get the necessary funding. Recently, the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, managed to secure additional funding. Will additional funding be provided for the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and, specifically, Dublin City Council? Our other local authority, Fingal County Council, does not appear to have the same level of waiting list.

Comment on this

I cannot give the Deputy a detailed reply. The spring statement is not a matter for Estimates or Supplementary Estimates. It is a statement on the current position of the economy and the outlook for growth.

Comment on this

It is to give us hope.

Comment on this

The Deputy asked if it would include Supplementary Estimates. It will not, as far as I am aware. The matter the Deputy raised is important. I do not wish to comment on it because I am not familiar with it, although I am aware that my local county council, Fingal, has managed to get through a significant backlog. Perhaps I can make inquiries to assist the Deputy on the matter.

Comment on this