David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a mechanism exists to appeal the granting of a disabled person's grant when the applicant feels that the amount granted is not enough; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10882/07]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The administration of the Disabled Persons Grant scheme, including the processing and approval of individual applications, is assigned to local authorities within the framework laid down in statutory regulations. If any applicant is dissatisfied with a decision made in relation to an application for a Disabled Persons Grant, it is open to them to specify their case and to request a review of the matter by the local authority concerned. Such a request would normally be reviewed and adjudicated upon by a more senior local authority official and the outcome of the appeal would be notified to the applicant as quickly as possible.

The issue of an independent appeals procedure has been considered in the context of the review of the Disabled Persons Grant scheme which was recently completed within my Department. A Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which is currently being drafted, will include provision for internal local authority reviews of prescribed housing decisions relating to individual households. The Bill is expected to be published by early summer.