A local senator is referring what she terms a “heartless and stupid decision” involving an unwell 83-year-old city woman and made by the Galway City Council and the Department of the Environment to the ombudsman.
Fine Gael senator Fidelma Healy Eames says she is giving both authorities until Christmas to reverse their decision. If this is not forthcoming she will take the case to ombudsman Emily O’Reilly.
“I was in disbelief when I heard that an unwell 83-year-old Galway city woman living off the Tuam Road was refused a housing adaptation grant for €6,000 to enable her to live and sleep downstairs. This woman, though still thankfully able to walk around, is bent over with severe osteoporosis and arthritis, suffers from hypertension and has been certified by her doctor as suffering from heart failure. When I met this lovely old lady I could only barely see her face so severe was her osteoporosis. Her doctor has recommended that she sleep downstairs so that she wouldn’t have to climb the stairs which leave her breathless.
“The only room available to her downstairs needs work. It needs re-roofing, heating, new windows, insulation from the cold and damp proofing as well as some basic decoration to make it fit for sleeping in. Her daughter acting on her behalf has secured two reasonable quotes from builders in the region of €6,000. However, to our great surprise when she submitted her application to Galway City Council she was refused on the basis of no funding available.”
The Oranmore senator says this is an example of a council and department of the Environment refusing an application without thinking.
“It is a stupid decision. The implications for the elderly woman and the State have not been thought through. For a mere €6,000 this old lady can be enabled to live relatively independently in her home. Other care options would cost the State multiples of that amount should she have to be hospitalised or have to draw down subvention in a nursing home.”
Senator Healy Eames says this is a cruel and heartless decision and she will refer the case to the ombudsman if a positive decision is not secured within days.
“Based on a previous decision she has made I am confident she will act.”
