Vol. 462 No. 2
92 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Health if his Department provides grants to fund home extensions and other facilities for families with a severely handicapped child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4426/96]
Limerick East): Responsibility for the provision of grants for the extension and adaptation of facilities for children and adults with disabilities in the home setting rests with the Department of the Environment. My Department has no specific scheme to provide such adaptations. However, on occasions and as an exceptional measure, health boards have assisted families with extensions and adaptations as a top-up to the disabled persons grant provided by the Department of the Environment through local authorities. Health boards' main involvement in this area is the provision of aids and appliances such as hoists necessary to enable people with disabilities to live at home.
