A Clare Fine Gael Councillor is calling for a major increase in the housing aid grant for older people on budget day.
Under the schemes current guidelines, households can avail of up to €8,000 in funding to mitigate costs associated with providing central heating or carrying out remedial works to roofs, windows and doors.
The latest report from the Society Of Chartered Surveyers, meanwhile, shows the average price of raw building materials has increased by 6.2% in the last year.
Cross Councillor Gabriel Keating, who raised the matter at this months special meeting of the local authority says financial barriers to basic shelter must be removed.
You can listen to the full interview below.