COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN, NEWCASTLE, RATHCOOLE, SAGGART AND BRITTAS AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

QUESTION NO. 6

QUESTION: Councillor W. Carey

To ask the Chief Executive to please clarify the average time it takes to have a HMD1 form processed? Can the council please report the average time by year for the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 in tabular format?

REPLY:

Unfortunately it is not possible to give a specific length of time to process medical applications, as this is dependent on the volume of applications received and the turnaround time of the independent referee. 

The current medical process involves the submission of a fully completed HMD Form 1 signed by 2 medical practitioners. The HMD Form 1 is checked by the medical team as well as any supporting documentation and reports.  If the HMD Form 1 is incomplete the applicant is advised of same and requested to make the necessary amendments.

Depending on the availability of the independent referee the applications are delivered for adjudication on a quarterly basis or as required.  Following the assessment of same the documents are returned and decision letters are issued to applicants.

South Dublin County Council are reviewing the current medical process in collaboration with the relevant state bodies in order to improve the efficiency of the process in identifying applicants with an enduring medical condition where approval on medical grounds will have an immediate positive impact on their medical condition.

Approved applicants on grounds of a physical disability that are in need of wheelchair accommodation or ground floor accommodation will be added to the medical list until a suitable property becomes available and allocated in accordance with the allocation scheme. These applicants will have no access to Choice Based Letting.

Approved applicants on grounds of mental health, intellectual and sensory conditions will be added to the medical list but will continue to have access to CBL to identify suitable properties.  Any works required due to the disability can be then applied for under the Disabled Persons Grant

If an applicant with a disability or medical condition is in need of any additional or new supports these supports must be in place prior to the allocation of a property.