Written answers

Wednesday, 4 May 2022

Department of Health

Medical Aids and Appliances

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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528. To ask the Minister for Health the funding that is available to families of disabled children who require permanent equipment in their home such as a hoist; and if there is funding available to help families with extensions for level access bathrooms and extra space for such large equipment. [22220/22]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to providing services and supports for older persons and for people with disabilities which will empower them to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and to plan and live independent lives. There are a range of services in place to protect individuals and families from excessive costs for their medical and surgical needs.  

Applications to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for a wide range of aids and appliances - including beds, wheelchairs, respiratory equipment etc - are made on foot of prescriptions from relevant health care professionals and based on an applicant's eligibility under the General Medical Services scheme and community schemes, such as the Long-Term Illness scheme.

These applications are considered by Resource Allocation Groups within each Community Health Organisation 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 every day functioning and to remain living in their homes and local community. 

Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 prohibits the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual. 

The Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability assist people to have necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works carried out in order to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. These works can include making it wheelchair-accessible, extending it to create more space, adding a ground-floor bathroom or toilet or a stairlift. The scheme is administered by local authorities and more information can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/service/6636c-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/  

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 Grant. Since then, most local authorities no longer provide funding for the provision of the hoist itself, although they may fund the structural works needed to place hoist tracks in ceilings.

There is engagement ongoing between the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to this matter.

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