COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 10, 2023

QUESTION NO. 6

QUESTION: Councillor P. Gogarty

To ask the Chief Executive to outline how many risk assessments it has carried out for medical priority housing applicant individuals and families in the last five years in terms of safe and timely exit of the building in an emergency; and if a statement can be made on the matter?

REPLY:

Medical Priority status may be awarded by our Allocations/Transfer sections if the following three criteria apply to a household:

• you or someone in your household has a disability or a medical condition and

• the current accommodation is not suitable to meet the needs of the person with a disability or medical condition and

• a change in housing will improve or stabilise the circumstances of the person with a disability or medical condition

The application must be completed by two Healthcare Professionals who work with the person with a disability or medical condition. An Occupational Therapist report must also be provided where there is a need for a specific accommodation requirement. The application is then reviewed by an independent medical referee appointed by the Council. A  medical priority may cover a particular type of dwelling and/or accommodation in a particular area.

In the last five years, 35 feasibility studies / assessments have been carried out by Architectural Services in conjunction with the Housing Department in respect of the construction of an extension and/or internal alterations and adaptations to council housing stock for existing tenants on medical grounds.

The feasibility studies/assessments consider the needs of the individual or family which is based on a medical assessment and recommendations provided by a medical professional/ occupational therapist, and the condition and particular constraints of the existing dwelling in accordance with relevant building standards.