Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Jun 2001

Vol. 539 No. 1

Written Answers. - Disabled Person's Grants Scheme.

Liam Aylward

Question:

225 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the delays in having reports carried out by the occupational therapists in the South Eastern Health Board area regarding grant applications under the disabled person's grant scheme; if he will arrange to have additional funding made available to have extra staff employed to deal with the backlog of cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18557/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The provision of housing modification grants for people with physical disabilities is a matter for the Department of the Environment and Local Government. These grants are provided through the relevant local authority. Health boards are involved with these grants to the extent that an assessment of the individual case must be carried out by an occupational therapist from the health board in order for the grant to be approved.

I am aware that while there has been a significant level of investment in recent years in health related support services, including occupational therapy services for people with physical and sensory disabilities, the health boards and non-statutory agencies are experiencing difficulties in recruiting and retaining the allied health professionals required to deliver these services.

Some work still remains to be done in finalising a report by Dr. Peter Bacon and Associates in relation to workforce planning for therapists. I expect this report to be completed shortly and I am making arrangements to publish it in a few weeks time. Developments arising from the implementation of the recommendations contained in this report, together with some initial measures which my Department has already taken to increase the number of training places for certain allied health professionals, will provide for an increasing number of trained personnel for the services.

Liam Aylward

Question:

226 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will arrange to have an immediate report carried out by an occupational therapist in the Kilkenny area so that the application for disabled person's grant by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny can be further processed by Kilkenny County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18558/01]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Dr. Moffatt)

As the Deputy is aware, the provision of health services in County Kilkenny is a matter for the South-Eastern Health Board. I have asked that this case be investigated by the board's chief executive officer as a matter of urgency and that a reply is forwarded directly to him.