Donegal County Council is calling for the reinstatement of the heating grant, and the restoration of grant schemes to where they were before 2010.
Cllr David Alcorn raised the issue, saying the heating grants were removed because help is available from Sustainable Energy Ireland, but that hasn’t worked.
He says the traditional grants system should be restored……..
The issue was discussed in the context of a review of how grant schemes operate, following the adoption of a number of changes in April 2010.
A review of those changes was presented to members, recommending that the revised system be maintained.
However, Cllr Marie Terese Gallagher said the report shows that between July 2008 and June 2009, 1056 grants were approved under the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme, while between July 2010 and June 2011, that fell to 335.
Cllr Gallagher says the elderly people didn’t go away, and the need for work has not diminished. She said with the number of grant approvals falling by two thirds, questions must be asked………..
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