Concern over delays with adaption grants
THE quality of life of vulnerable and infirm residents in Wexford is suffering because of a delay in processing housing adaptation grants, according to Sinn Féin councillor, Tom Forde.
Cllr Forde said the waiting list for grants to allow older residents and people with disabilities to carry out essential work on their homes, is stretching beyond an acceptable timeframe.
‘While Priority 1 cases are treated on an urgent basis, the waiting time for Priority 2 cases was increased in December 2019 to 18 months, which represents a further six month increase on the previous year’, he said.
‘We have vulnerable and infirm residents around the county who need this grant support to adapt their houses to an acceptable living standard. These are not wishlists or home improvements, they are vital housing adaptations, such as stair-lifts and wet rooms, for residents who may no longer have the ability to climb a stairs, or struggle to manoeuvre in and out of a bathtub. The original 12 months waiting period, while not ideal, was perhaps acceptable.’
Cllr Forde said he has been in contact with two grant applicants who had made their application in December 2018, and when he raised a query, he was told there was a 12-month waiting list and when this expired in December 2019, he was then told the waiting list had been extended to 18 months due to funding issues.
‘It strikes me as very unfair that a couple who are sleeping downstairs and washing downstairs because of their health conditions have continually had their expected timeframe for adaptation works extended. The six-month extension was, to my knowledge, never made aware to us as councillors during any budgetary meetings, nor did we vote or agree to any such extension to this vital community support.
‘I am also growing increasingly concerned that the waiting list for this type of council funding will continue to be delayed as a result of the current pandemic. The council has confirmed to me that, due to the inability to carry out internal house inspections/work, there will be a further impact on this particular waiting period, the scope of which is still to be confirmed.
‘This pandemic, while presenting new challenges, cannot be allowed to lessen the quality of life for people who are already struggling on a day-to-day basis.’
County Wexford Sinn Fein this week launched a campaign aimed at promoting the phonelines and online supports available to older people during the pandemic.