Slashing home assistance grants from €1 million in 2012 to little more than €200,000 this year has resulted in the Galway City Council running out of funding for this area.
This is the view of Independent city councillor Declan McDonnell who has condemned the Labour Housing Minister Jan O’Sullivan for cutting funding for the Housing Adaptation Grant and Essential Housing Aid for the elderly by 75 per cent.
“This means Galway City Council have no more funding for the rest of the year and we haven’t even got through the first quarter of 2013,” he said.
According to Cllr McDonnell, people who have contacted City Hall recently have been informed that no more grants can be allocated.
Cllr McDonnell said the grant had allowed people to enjoy “an improved quality of life while continuing to live in their own home”, and in the process, saved the State “enormous amounts of money” on hospital and nursing home charges.
“What is the point in the Government saving €1 billion through a bank debt deal if the savings are not used to look after the most vulnerable in our society?” he asked.
The council has made application for extra funding and Cllr McDonnell is calling on the Government TDs for Galway West - Brian Walsh, Sean Kyne, and Derek Nolan - to support the council and lobby Minister O’Sullivan for an additional allocation.
