AQW 9354/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 21/03/2024
Answered On Date: 10/04/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail his Department’s policy for households that are eligible for the Housing Executive's Disabled Facilities Grant, but do not receive the required funding to complete the work to enable the individual to receive the support or equipment to stay in their own home.

Answer:

Since the Housing Executive (NIHE) has responsibility for administering the Disabled Facilities Grant, my Department does not have a specific policy in this area.

In practice, the needs of each individual are assessed by the relevant HSC Trust’s Occupational Therapy Service, with recommendations on the nature of the adaptation work required then shared with the NIHE for processing. Works are normally subject to a statutory maximum level of grant aid (currently £70k), and only in very exceptional circumstances will NIHE funding exceed that level.

Cases in which the required works exceed the maximum funding are referred for consideration by a Regional Interagency Escalation panel, which will take account of the type and nature of the adaptation work, the level of funding required, and the individuals means to contribute. These panels are coordinated by my Department’s Housing and Health Lead, who is jointly employed by the Department of Health and Housing Executive.

Ultimately, the statutory responsibility and decision to provide any additional funding will rest with the HSC Trusts as the Department have no identified resources to support in these cases.

This approach has been endorsed by the Interdepartmental (Department of Health/Department for Communities) Housing and Health Adaptations Programme Board, and my Department does intend issuing guidance to HSC Trusts to reinforce the position to ensure a consistent and equitable approach.