Urgent action sought as ‘critical situation’ impacts elderly people living in Leitrim

There is a “critical situation” in County Leitrim due to the lack of supports available for elderly people, the Dáil has heard.

Sligo-Leitrim Fianna Fáil TD Eamon Scanlon spoke on the subject during a recent ‘Priority Questions’ session.

“The situation facing the council housing adaptation grant schemes in Sligo and Leitrim is now critical,” Deputy Scanlon said.

He outlined how Leitrim County Council is still awaiting its 2026 allocation for housing adaptation grants.

“The delay is preventing essential home adaptations that allow people to live with dignity and independence.

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“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.”

Deputy Scanlon also highlighted the similar situation in his home county of Sligo.

“In 2025, the [Sligo County] 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.”

In response, Minister of State Kieran O’Donnell agreed that the scheme is hugely important.

He added that Sligo County Council made two requests for additional funding, both of which were provided.

Deputy Scanlon responded by saying he “genuinely welcomed” this additional funding.

He continued: “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.”

In response, Minister O’Donnell again highlighted the importance of the scheme and outlined the status of the 2026 allocations.

“We hope to be in a position to announce the allocations for 2026 shortly. We have increased the funding this year by €30 million, a 30 per cent increase.

“It is one of the largest increases in any spending items, because it is of such importance. Again, it feeds into keeping people living at home independently.”

He concluded by stating that the Department of Housing wants to see local authorities spending the money they are allocated.