Elderly and disabled lose grant aid for essential work
Several councillors in the north Cork region complained yesterday that people who applied for Disabled Persons’ Grants and Essential Repairs Grants couldn’t wait until these grants were later reinstated.
Repairs carried out included installing showers and stair lifts.
Councillor Noel Buckley (FG), chairman of the council’s Northern Division, said he was very concerned at the situation.
“These were genuine people who had no option but to go ahead because of necessity due to their disability,” Mr Buckley said.
“I know of people who went ahead and who were informed they didn’t now qualify. I think these people should be taken into consideration,” he added.
Councillor Marian Murphy (FG) and Councillor Kevin O’Keeffe (FF) said the suspension of the grants for over a year created confusion and hardship.
“Many people have been overruled and shot down. There should be some mechanism to get some kind of social worker to inspect and report on why these people (applicants) were forced to carry out the work,” Mr O’Keeffe said.
Ms Murphy added that elderly people were forced to borrow money for the work and now faced financial hardship.
Councillor Aileen Pyne (FG) said that 10 to 15 years ago the rules were not so rigid and she urged officials to rethink.
Acting assistant county manager, Frank Stritch, said work had to be approved by the council in advance of it being carried out.
“In adopting the new scheme it was made clear that they wouldn’t be paid if the work was done in advance,” Mr Stritch said.
Meanwhile, Ms Murphy said despite claims to the contrary by council officials, it was their responsibility to administer grants to elderly people who required central heating in their homes.
But Mr Stritch said guidelines given to the council by the Department of the Environment didn’t cover this.
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