Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 October 2023
327. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the reason the provision of ceiling hoists as essential equipment for people with disabilities was passed from the HSE to local authorities with the responsibility and servicing costs having to be borne by persons who use the equipment; when the policy changed; and if the provision and servicing of ceiling hoists will be transferred back to the HSE. [45889/23]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities to meet their needs. There are a range of services in place to protect individuals and families from excessive costs for their medical and surgical needs.
The Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability assist people to have necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works carried out to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The scheme is administered by local authorities under the aegis of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
In late 2020, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage offered guidance to local authorities that ceiling hoists should not be included in the Housing Adaptation Grants. However, engagement between the Department of Health and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has resulted in a resolution of the matter. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has reversed that decision and ceiling hoists are fundable under the Housing Adaptation Grants.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides a wide range of aids and appliances following assessment by a relevant health care professional and in accordance with the patient’s eligibility under the Health Act 1970 (as amended). These applications are made under the Community Funded Schemes and a determination is made regarding approval based on clinical priority and the funding available within local budgets. These aids and appliances play a key role in assisting and supporting people to maintain everyday functioning and to remain living in their homes and local community.
The Community Funded Schemes have not generally funded ceiling track hoists given the need for structural adaptations necessary to install them and, also, that they had been funded under the Housing Adaptation Grants. It is also important to note that it has never been the policy of the HSE that the provision of ceiling track hoists should be funded under the Community Funded Schemes.
