I assume the Deputy is referring to the disabled persons grant scheme which is administered by local authorities in accordance with the legal framework laid down in section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1979 and statutory regulations made under the Act. The framework laid down in the statutory regulations is, as far as practicable, designed to give an appropriate degree of flexibility to local authorities in administering the scheme.
The regulations governing the scheme do not stipulate that authorities obtain a medical report or an occupational therapist's report. However, authorities generally require such reports to ensure that the most appropriate works are carried out to meet the needs of the applicant and that the potential long-term needs of the appli cant are addressed having regard to his or her disability.
It is a matter for the local authority to determine the level of grants in individual cases, the circumstances in which a grant may be paid and to ensure there are no undue delays in the processing of applications for disabled persons grants.
I have improved the terms and conditions of the scheme on three occasions since 1997 with an effective maximum grant now of £16,000, double what it was in 1997. In the case of a private house, the grant may now cover 90% of the approved cost of the work while the full cost of the works are covered in the case of a local authority house. In December 1998 I also increased the rate of recoupment by my Department to local authorities under the scheme from 50% to 66% of the grant paid.
I continue to urge local authorities to operate the scheme in a flexible and responsive manner having regard to the needs of the applicants.