AQW 36650/22-27


Mr Daniel McCrossan
Social Democratic and Labour Party
West Tyrone


Tabled Date: 02/12/2025
Answered On Date: 17/12/2025
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for his assessment of the December 2025 Motor Neurone Disease Association report, Delivering Accessible Homes for People with Motor Neurone Disease.


Answer:
I welcome the Delivering Accessible Homes for People with Motor Neurone Disease report produced by the Motor Neurone Disease Association and fully agree with the premise that accessible housing for people with disabilities is a lifeline, not a luxury.
The report provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges, across the UK in providing timely and effective housing adaptations for people with MND.
Within the Northern Ireland context, I recognise the need for my Department to work closely with our partners in the Department for Communities, who have ultimate responsibility for housing provision. To that end officials within my Department have set up and co-chair the Interdepartmental Accessible Homes Strategic Forum. The Forum ensures a collaborative approach between health and housing in the development of policy and strategy in this area.
The Forum has recognised the need to consider fast-tracking adaptation provision, as referenced in the report, whilst at the same time being mindful of the need to treat each case with fairness and equity.
Consequently, a pilot is currently underway for a fast-track process for adaptation provision. The pilot forms part of the Disabled Facilities Grant Review, currently being led by the Department for Communities. The pilot will identify those cases which require fast-tracking through the adaptation process and is likely to include individuals with progressive conditions such as Motor Neurone Disease.
My Department will commit to considering the wider recommendations within the report at the next Interdepartmental Accessible Homes Strategic Forum in early 2026.
My Department is also represented on the Housing Supply Project Board to ensure the needs of people with disabilities are included in the Housing Supply Strategy Action Plan.