Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Dessie Ellis TD has condemned the move by the Minister for Environment to cut Housing Adaptation funding for Dublin City by 40% in the midst of the greatest housing need the state has ever seen.

Deputy Ellis made his comments following an announcement by Dublin City Council that the Department of Environment had informed them of this massive cut which will close the scheme.

He said: "One billion euro has been cut from housing expenditure since 2008 yet need is at its highest ever, with one hundred thousand people on waiting lists. Austerity from this government has hit the most vulnerable hardest. Among the most vulnerable are people with disabilities or mobility issues. They have been cut already with transport mobility grants, carers, and disability services all being cut by this this government.

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"Now we face the prospect of the scheme, to provide people with special needs with adapted housing so that they can live as independently as possible, is basically being forced to close.

"This is totally unacceptable. Disabled people have a right to live in their homes and the government has a duty to do all in their power to realise that right. This is not just a moral position but a practical one as those independently living people with disabilities save the state millions in care every year.

"The adaptation grant provides for people to live with dignity and respect in their own home. Cuts like this are an insult to the rights of disabled people especially in the context of the states utter failure and refusal to provide appropriate social housing."

(CD/JP)