Skip to main content
Normal View

Medical Aids and Appliances

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 February 2022

Tuesday, 1 February 2022

Questions (663)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

663. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if funding or grants are available to help persons who need a permanent oxygen machine with the electricity costs of running oxygen machines required as part of their treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4394/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Health Service Executive (HSE) advise that one Community Health Organisation (CHO) offers an electricity allowance to patients who suffer from Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or similar illnesses. 

CHO 9 (Dublin North, Dublin North Central) offers this allowance, which varies across the different Local Health Offices areas that comprise it, to medical card holders. The continued payment of this allowance is based on historic practices within those local areas. However, these local areas may adjust their practices in line with every other CHO across the country where such an allowance was discontinued many years ago.

For persons experiencing difficulty in paying their electricity costs, financial assistance may be available through the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) Scheme as administered by the Department of Social Protection. Further information on the type of SWA payments available can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/collection/d5554-supplementary-welfare-allowance/.

The list of local offices, from which Community Welfare Services officers can provide the best advice on the process for accessing this assistance, can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/collection/cb07d7-supplementary-welfare-allowance-swa-list-of-offices-administering-swa/.

Top
Share