156. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when Sligo County Council will receive its 2026 funding allocation to enable the reopening of the urgently needed housing adaptation grant scheme, which has been paused for several months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4424/26]

Sentiment score: 0.13

I suppose I got some of the answers anyway. I recognise that. The situation facing the council housing adaptation grant schemes in Sligo and Leitrim is now critical. In 2025 the council budgeted €2.4 million to support older people and people with disabilities to remain safely in their homes yet the allocation fell far short of what was required. That forced the council to seek an emergency top-up payment of over €240,000 in July, funding that could only cover priority 1 cases. As a result, the scheme has been paused for months. Meanwhile, six months worth of already approved grants remain unfunded and the council is still awaiting the 2026 allocation. The delay is preventing essential home adaptations that allow people to live with dignity and independence. The housing adaptation grant is one of the most impactful, cost-effective supports the State provides. Every euro invested keeps people out of hospital beds, out of long-term care and in their own homes where they want to be.

Sentiment score: 0.22

I genuinely welcome the extra allocation of funds to the local authorities for the provision of those grants. As I said earlier, the work done paid for by those grants is keeping people out of hospitals and nursing homes. I know of a number of cases where people have left nursing homes to go back home because of the funding that was made available to improve their living conditions at home. I appeal to the Department to immediately approve the grants to Sligo and Leitrim county councils for the full 2026 budget including provision for the outstanding 2025 commitments as well. I welcome the extra funding.

Sentiment score: 0.52