I will try to remain within the time limit. I support the comments of Senator Colm Burke on adaptation grants. He cited a number of cases in the Cork City Council area, but the problem is nationwide. Until a few years ago, local authorities operated an uncomplicated, flexible and locally generated scheme known as the disabled person's grant. When the scheme was transformed to become the housing adaptation grant scheme, the level of administration increased. Occupational therapist reports were required and the costs of the scheme and the red tape surrounding it caused many of the delays we are now experiencing. While further investment is clearly required, it would be helpful if council officials showed much greater flexibility and discretion. Senator Colm Burke has referred to cases where applicants for home adaptation grants have been waiting for six or seven years. That is deeply regrettable. A disabled person's grant provides immediate assistance for families and disabled persons who may otherwise need to be institutionalised or cared for by the State in alternative accommodation.

We should try to re-establish the flexibility of these valuable schemes. In most cases, the amount of grant aid is modest. The requirements are small, but it is of importance to the applicants and their families. I support Senator Colm Burke. We should be able to make progress on such schemes and return to the days when the local authority had much greater flexibility and there was less bureaucracy and less need for all the reports. Up to five or ten years ago, applications were processed, certainly in the northern area of Cork County Council, within months rather than five or six years because of the flexibility that was allowed. I would like to see a return to the procedure at that time.