Vol. 554 No. 5
1462 Ms M. Wallace asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he supports a situation where an applicant for a disabled persons grant has to wait almost a year for the application to be processed due to a nine month wait for the occupational therapy section of the assessment; and if he can enter into discussions with the Minister for Health and Children to bring about a speedier process for dealing with these applications. [15633/02]
1598 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will consult the Minister for Health and Children regarding the operation of the housing aid for the disabled scheme to ensure that occupational therapists are available to carry out assessments which is presently not the case in the west Waterford area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17383/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1462 and 1598 together.
The regulations governing the disabled persons grant scheme do not require local authorities to obtain a report from an occupational therapist. Where local authorities require such reports it is generally to ensure that the most appropriate works are carried out to meet the needs of the applicant and that the potential long-term needs of the applicant are addressed having regard to their disability. It is also a matter for the local authority to ensure that there are no undue delays in the processing of applications for disabled persons grants and in this regard it is open to a local authority to engage an occupational therapist where this would be warranted.
I continue to urge local authorities to operate the scheme in a flexible and responsive manner having regard to the needs of applicants. Local authorities should have regard to the availability of occupational therapists and any likely delay when determining whether an occupational therapist's report should be sought in any case. My Department has also raised with the Department of Health and Children the need for appropriate procedures to ensure that any necessary reports of occupational therapists can be supplied speedily.
