The regulations governing the scheme do not stipulate that authorities obtain a medical report or an occupational therapists 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 applicant are addressed having regard to their 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 that 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 the effective maximum grant now £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 two-thirds 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.
