Vol. 566 No. 1
98 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the crisis which exists for local authorities in providing disabled persons grants; and if discussions have been held with the Department for Environment and Local Government to revise the scheme. [11918/03]
The provision of the disabled persons grant is a matter for the Department of the Environment and Local Government and such grants are administered through the relevant local authority. Use of health board staff, i.e. occupational therapists, to provide assessments for this scheme is a matter for discussion between the relevant local authorities and health boards.
I wish to advise the Deputy, however, that I am aware of the difficulties encountered by people applying for the disabled persons grant. Consequently, my Department is currently engaging with the Department of the Environment and Local Government with a view to streamlining assessment procedures for the disabled persons grant.
