Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

208. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of local authorities that pay for private occupational therapy assessments, in order to speed up the application process for housing and accommodation applications or modifications. [32647/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the detailed administration and implementation of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme is a matter for the local authorities, my Department does not have information on the number of local authorities that pay for private occupational therapy assessments for applications. It is in the interests of the applicant and the local authority alike to ensure that adaptation works are appropriate to the long-term circumstances of the applicant and I understand that occupational therapists are routinely engaged by local authorities to assess the needs of applic ants for grants under the scheme. In addition, where an applicant engages a private sector occupational therapist, the costs are recouped to the applicant as part of the total grant paid, subject to a limit of €200 per assessment.