GRANTS DECISION MUST BE REVERSED

THE DECISION BY the County Manager to stop payments of Housing Adaptation Grants to needy applicants is outrageous and must be reversed as a matter of urgency. Cllr Declan Bree, said today.

“At the end of February the Department of the Environment announced its allocation of €798,147 to Sligo County Council to allow the Council to proceed with the payments of housing adaptation grants and help clear the backlog of applications which had built up during 2011. In compliance with Department conditions the Council provided for its required 20% matching contribution of €199,537 at its Estimates meeting in December.” said Cllr Bree.

“However despite the fact that the funding is in place, the County Manager has directed Council staff not to release the grants to the many applicants awaiting payments, and instead he requested the Department to fund the grant scheme 100%, or alternatively to allow the Council to process the grants on the basis that applicants would contribute the balance of 20% of the costs.

“It has now come to light that the Department responded highlighting the regulations relating to the administration of the grants scheme and making it clear to the County Manager that the Council is required to provide the 20% funding from its own resources. Yet, the grants are being withheld from those in need.” said Cllr Bree.

“The fact that the ruling group on the Council supports the decision of the County Manager and that plans are currently being prepared to impose further major cut backs in Council services is clearly a matter of significant concern.

“Fine Gael and Labour have danced to the County Managers tune for the past number of and having run up huge Council debts it would appear that they now intend to target the most vulnerable so as to reduce the deficit.

“Everyone is aware that the housing adaptation schemes, including the disability grant scheme and the grants for older people, are vitally important in helping older people and people with a disability to continue to live in their own homes and communities with the dignity they deserve.

“What we are talking abut here is an attack on elderly people and the disabled. There are almost 200 applicants currently awaiting grant approval. The money is in place but the grants are not being released. The decision is mean and cruel and must be reversed.” declared Cllr Bree.