Fianna Fáil to reverse 'cruellest cut' in housing adaptation grant, if elected to government
Fianna Fáil has said it will make available a special medical card for children whose carer is in receipt of the domiciliary care allowance, among other allowances.
The party said it would also create onsite early intervention teams in schools for children with special needs if returned to power, and would provide a special €20 payment for people in receipt of the disability allowance, carers allowance, blind pension and invalidity pension.
Speaking in Ennis, Fianna Fáil spokesperson on mental health (pictured below with Micheál Martin in an archive picture) said Fianna Fáil would also restore the housing adaptation grant.
"Many people feel this (cut to the housing adaptation grant) is the cruellest cut that has taken place," he said. "The body politic, and particularly the Government, must acknowledge the mistakes that they have made."
Under changes announced in 2014, the income of anyone in the household over the age of 18 was taken into account for anyone applying for a housing adaptation grant, and not just the income of the applicant as formerly. The age threshold was also raised from 60 to 66 and the grant bands were adjusted.
Age Action Ireland hit out at the move, saying it would make it harder for the elderly to stay in their own homes.
The Government recently announced an increase of almost €6m in funding for the scheme, bringing funding this year to €56m.
