Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Dec 2000

Vol. 527 No. 3

Written Answers. - Disabled Person's Grants Scheme.

Liam Aylward

Ceist:

264 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the long delay in having applications under the disabled person's grants scheme administered, he will enter into negotiations with the Department of the Environment and Local Government and come to an arrangement whereby disabled person's grants are administered exclusively by the local authority and do not require an environmental health officer's report from the health board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28640/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I presume that the Deputy is referring to the fact that the local authority requires an occupational therapist from the health board to assess the needs of an individual applying for a grant under the housing modification scheme.

The provision of housing modification grants for people with physical and sensory disabilities is solely a matter for the Department of the Environment and Local Government and, accordingly, the criteria used in the administration of the grant would be a matter for that Department.

I have not been approached by the Department of the Environment and Local Government with regard to its current procedures.