The provision of housing modification grants for people with physical disabilities is a matter for the Department of the Environment and Local Government and they are provided through the relevant local authority and health boards who 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.
However, 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 both recruiting and retaining the allied health professionals required to deliver these services.
Some work still remains to be done in finalising Dr. Peter Bacon and Associates report in relation to workforce planning for therapists. I expect that this report will 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.
I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the chief executive officer of the Southern Health Board with a request that he examine the matters raised and reply directly to the Deputy, as a matter of urgency.
