Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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1196. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on funding for ceiling track hoists following the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage advising that this adaptation should not be included in housing adaptation grants in late 2020; and when a resolution to this funding issue can be expected to ensure that persons can access a service required to meet their health, safety and personal needs. [55313/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities to meet their needs. There are also a range of services in place to protect individuals and families from excessive costs for their medical and surgical needs.

The Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability assist people to have necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works carried out to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The scheme is administered by local authorities under the aegis of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Applications to the Health Service Executive for a wide range of aids and appliances are made on foot of prescriptions from relevant health care professionals and based on an applicant's eligibility under the Health Act 1970 (as amended). These applications are made under the Community Funded Schemes and are considered by Resource Allocation Groups within each Community Health Organisation. 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 everyday functioning and to remain living in their homes and local community. The Community Funded Schemes have not generally funded fixed ceiling-track hoists given the need for structural adaptations necessary to install them and, also, that they had been funded under the Housing Adaptation Grants.

In late 2020, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage offered guidance to local authorities that fixed ceiling-track hoists should not be included in the Housing Adaptation Grants. Engagement is ongoing between the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to this matter – with a view to resolving the difficult issues involved as soon as possible and ensuring that people receive the services they require.