Maintenance person wanted for vulnerable Laois council tenants
A maintenance person dedicated to doing little jobs for the elderly and vulnerable tenants of Laois County Council is needed says a local councillor.
Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley from the Portlaoise Municipal District has highlighted the need to do rapid household maintenance for tenants who are older or have mobility issues.
She described a situations where she claimed a tenant was at risk recently.
"One elderly person had Carbon Monoxide getting out into her home. Only for her carer noticing... It was an issue with her heating system. This would have never happened if someone was calling on a regular basis," Cllr Dwane Stanley said.
She tabled a motion to the district's December meeting, asking when a Liaison officer/maintenance person for the elderly and disabled will be reappointed to the job.
She said there used to be a council employee specifically on the task, but when that person retired, they were not replaced.
"Older people are not getting the response they used to have. We need a dedicated member to call on the elderly and people with disabilities.
"Even if it's only changing a lightbulb. We had an employee dedicated to go in assuring that their needs were met. I never had a call (seeking works). When the person retired they were never replaced," she said.
She is not happy with the council's reply.
The Director of Services for Housing Angela McEvoy gave a written response.
"Human resources are a matter for the Chief Executive. There has been a substantial increase in the level of maintenance provision in the council in recent years," which she said "substantially improved the response time" to work requests by tenants.
"I'm very disappointed. That is completely dodging the question," Cllr Dwane Stanley said.