COMHAIRLE CHONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, February 13, 2006

QUESTION No. 46

QUESTION: Cllr. Karen Warren

To ask the Manager to make a full statement concerning the connection between the Dublin Medical Officer and South Dublin County Council's Housing Department, the total number of visits by the Medical Officer to South Dublin County Council to adjudicate on medical points in relation to various applications, the average waiting time before applicants can have their applications determined because of the service being provided by the Health Service Executive, if a proposal has been made for an in-house medical assessment team within the Housing Department, which could more speedily process housing applications, and if he will make a statement on the matter?

REPLY

At present, by agreement with the Health Service Executive, the Dublin Medical Officer reviews any files for which medical documentation has been submitted in support of an application. Under the arrangement the Medical Officer visits the Council Offices to assess documentation as often as is necessary. In practice, this works out at approximately one visit per month, with more frequent visits approaching the issuing of lists if necessary. This arrangement serves the Council well in the preparation of our Housing lists.

The Housing List is currently reviewed twice yearly in May and November and all changes in applicants' circumstances during the intervening periods are reflected in the points total determined at the review. Waiting times tend to vary depending on when documentation is submitted, averaging approximately 2-3 months, however this is immaterial in the process once the documentation is assessed in time for the compilation of the next list. A system is in place that ensures that the Medical Officer examines all medical documentation submitted before the closing date for a list. The list is compiled once all documentation has been assessed.

The Medical Officer also uses these visits to examine and make recommendations on approximately 400 Disabled Persons Grant applications each year. 

Existing arrangements are satisfactory and there is no proposal to make any change prior to the introduction of the new Scheme of Letting Priorities. Under the new scheme the council will be assessing applications in chronological order and will no longer use the points system. This will greatly assist the Allocations Section in speeding up the processing of applications.