More clarity needed on grant guidelines for Longford homeowners reconfiguring

During the September County Council meeting on Wednesday, September 10, Cllr Pat O’Toole called for Longford County Council to write to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, requesting that clear guidelines are issued in relation to proof of ownership requirements for Housing Adaptation grants.

It said that there is no consistency and often times elderly people have opted to pass up on the grant as the legal costs involved in regularising ownership is prohibitive.

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There was a desire for much needed improvement works regarding this long process.

Cllr Seamus Butler said: “I had an experience with a lady with arthritis who is 91-years-old, who needed the bathroom reconfigured.”

Criticising the documentation process, it was quoted €6,200 to register with land register, and that people should be building in a more “simplistic manner.”

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Cllr Paul Ross supported the motion in the long run, and Cllr Peggy Nolan added that she found it to be an “excellent motion”.