Dublin South West Sinn Féin TD, Seán Crowe, welcomed the announcement by the Minister of State for Housing, Jan O’ Sullivan, that she will make new funds available for essential housing adaptation grants for people with medical needs.

Crowe highlighted two cases with the Minister in the Dáil in which local constituents, who have cancer and kidney failure, are waiting three years for housing adaptation grants.

Deputy Crowe said:

“I welcome Minister O’Sullivan’s commitment to allocate new funding for housing adaptations. These adaptations can literally transform a person’s life, enhance their family’s lives, and saves the state money in the long and short term.

“Daniel, who lives in Rossfield Tallaght with his family, has multiple medical needs and is waiting three years for a housing extension.

“Daniel’s life revolves around getting lifesaving dialysis. An extension would mean that he could receive this treatment at home and not have to travel to the hospital, making life a lot easier and reducing the risk of contracting an infection.

“Traci lives in Fettercairn, Tallaght, and has multiple cancers. She relies on her young children and elderly father for support.

“Traci’s medical condition means she finds it increasingly difficult to get upstairs to the bathroom. She is also waiting 3 years for her home to be adapted to her medical needs.

“These cases are replicated right across the state. In some local authority areas these grants have been suspended or stopped altogether.

“I welcome the announcement from the Housing Minister that she will begin to address this backlog and begin to bring about changes to the system, which is currently not fit for purpose.”

ENDS

Video of Crowe and Ellis raising housing adaptation grant problems, in the Dáil