I thank the Minister of State for taking this matter. A number of old age pensioners who recently visited my clinics do not have bathroom facilities in their houses. In a recent budget this problem was overcome regarding tenants occupying local authority housing. I ask that a similar scheme be implemented in the case of tenant purchasers of local authority houses who are old age pensioners. A major financial outlay would not be required, given the numbers involved throughout the country. However, such a scheme would be of great benefit to the unfortunate people involved. Due to extra pressure, it is not possible for health boards to provide that financial outlay. A major problem exists with regard to county councils, essential repair grants and the health boards.
Most of the queries I receive relate to essential repair grant applications involving flat roofs and extensions. County councils do not accept these applications as being entitled to essential grant status. Such applications are forwarded to the health boards and this causes major backlogs of work in relation to their grant schemes. As a result, it is not possible for the health boards to do anything in relation to providing bathrooms for old age pensioners, etc. I ask that the Minister of State investigate the issue of providing bathrooms for senior citizens or old age pensioners who are tenant purchasers of local authority houses.
I have had numerous requests for action in relation to houses built in the mid 1930s and early 1940s by local authorities. A number of these houses have no bathrooms or facilities and people must use an outside toilet during the night. This is not acceptable in modern society. The people involved do not qualify for reconstruction loans under county council rules and have no other way to generate finance. Many of these people live alone. I am aware of a case where two brothers, who are old age pensioners, inherited their parents' house and have no running water or toilet. They cannot put such facilities in place due to the financial constraints on their income. The Department would not incur great financial cost in relation to such claims. I am sure that there a number of similar situations in every county.
It would not represent a major cost for the Department to investigate this matter with regard to tenant purchased houses. Other houses occupied by senior citizens have requisite facilities. It is an anomaly that in a recent budget grants were made available to local authorities to provide bathrooms for tenants occupying houses within their remit. Tenant purchased houses are purchased over a number of years, with people paying rent of perhaps £2 every six months. If one approaches the council in relation to such dwellings, one is informed that they are part of old tenant purchase schemes. This matter warrants serious investigation to see if a scheme might be put in place to alleviate the major problems experienced by those involved. Perhaps ten to 15 people have approached me in relation to this issue. I hope the Minister of State will review the matter and find a satisfactory solution.