GALWAY ELDERLY BEING HIT BY DELAY IN GRANT APPLICATIONS

Date Published: 22-Jul-2008

There is "no money" for Galway people applying for funds under the housing aid for the elderly scheme or the essential repairs grant, according to a County Councillor.Councillor Tiernan Walsh says he is tired of making excuses to constituents about why their applications for funding have not been dealt with speedily.There are similar problems with the scheme at Galway City CouncilCllr Walsh says these grants are vital to the most vulnerable people in Galway and that the Government should make funds available for the applications being processed at the moment.The Fine Gael Councillor raised the issue at a meeting of the County Council this week where it was revealed that the Council is 14 million euro in overdraft at the moment.The Finance Officer with Galway County Council says they are putting pressure on the Department to recoup expenses and reduce the overdraft.Councillor Walsh says there is a delay in processing applications because there are no funds