Funding constraints hit elderly

ALMOST 10,000 poor old age pensioners are on a waiting list - some for up to four years - to have emergency repairs carried out to their homes under a government scheme. And up to 7,000 disabled people are seeking government grants for work in their houses.

Elderly people can be waiting up to four years to have essential work carried out as health board budget allocations are insufficient to meet the demand.

Aside from the 9,700 applications with health boards under the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme, local authorities also have another 6,700 applications under the Disabled Person’s Grant Scheme awaiting funding.