COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 12, 2015

QUESTION NO.7

QUESTION: Councillor R. Nolan

To ask the Chief Executive how many properties belonging to the Council are modified for people with a disability. And is there an ongoing programme for such modifications, and how long would someone be expected to wait for such a property.

REPLY:

There are 158 properties recorded as having been modified for people with a disability.  These refer to houses that have been extensively modified to meet a specific need.  We have carried out 6 major extension works to Council properties in 2015 and have 2 currently underway with an expected completed date of December 2015. There is a waiting list for extensions to Council properties, each application is examined individually with regard to its suitability,  feasibility and funding requirements. 

The above figure does not include properties where Disabled Persons works were carried out on them e.g. ramps, bathroom adaptations and grab rails.  Under the Disabled Persons Grants scheme, 28 applications have been processed in 2015.  In addition to these works, specially adapted bathrooms have been installed in vacant properties which are OPA specific, and will continue to be installed where deemed necessary.   

Tenants have also applied for smaller works along the following lines:

• Showers
• House Alterations
• Stairlifts
• Downstairs Toilets
• Grab rails

Due to the limited funding that is available in 2015, and in the interest of equity, all applications for extensions and small works on hand and those which will continue to be received in the Medical Section, will have to be prioritised with reference to the Guidelines issued by the DOECLG as follows:

'Priority 1: High Level of Need

• Disabled person at risk unless alterations are carried out.
• Alterations would facilitate discharge from hospital
• Application with terminal illness or a degenerative condition.

'Priority 2: - Moderate Level of Need

• without the alterations/adaptations, the disabled person's ability to function independently would be hindered'.

'Priority 3: - Reduced Level of need

• The alterations would enhance the disabled persons quality of life/ living condition.

There is no prescribed timeline for the allocation of a specially adapted dwellings for tenants affected by medical conditions.  However,  a specific team is in place in Housing Allocations to identify suitable housing from all vacancies that arise.  This team have first call on all new and re-let properties to see if they can match the accommodation to the needs of the medical applicants on hand.   This involves inspection of the property, meetings with Occupational Therapists, and liaison with hospitals, rehab, prospective tenants etc. 

Housing Applicant/Housing Transferees who receive “Medical Priority” in respect of their application are placed on a housing priority list for suitable accommodation in accordance with the date medical priority is granted. Where the Council’s Medical Officer awards “Urgent Medical Priority” to an application these applicants are placed at the top of the housing list for suitable housing.