Tully raises funding for Cavan housing grants in Seanad

Cavan-based Senator Pauline Tully has raised “urgent concerns” about Cavan County Council’s decision to pause applications for the private housing grant scheme because of a lack of funding.

Two weeks ago, Cavan County Council stopped accepting applications for the housing adaptation, mobility aids and housing aid for older people grants calling the move a “temporary pause”.

In a statement the local authority said the measure was “regrettable but necessary” to ensure existing commitments are met and to prioritise those applicants with the most urgent medical and care needs.

Senator Tully said the council had to cease processing the grants with immediate effect, “having exhausted its current funding”.

In a follow-up statement, the Sinn Fein senator said that she fully supports the council’s submission to the Department of Housing for additional funding and called on the Minister to provide the money needed.

“The grants are very important because they allow older people and disabled people to continue living in their own homes,” Deputy Tully said.

“They reduce the possibility of accidents and prevent hospitalisation, nursing home care, and the requirement for home care," she continued.

Rasing her concerns under the Seanad's order of business last week, the Sinn Féin senator urged the Minister for Housing James Browne, to provide the funding for Cavan and any other local authority that finds itself in a similar position to “allow people to continue living in their own homes”.