HC Deb 06 March 1981 vol 1000 cc220-1W
Mr. Wm. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will consider how the processing of requests for grants for adaptations to dwellings occupied by disabled persons can be speeded up, especially by the consideration of such requests at an earlier stage by all the disciplines and officials involved.

Mr. David Mitchell

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, in consultation with area health and social services boards. Such grant applications are already given high priority, but I shall ask the Housing Executive to review existing procedures in conjunction with area boards, to ensure that applications are dealt with as speedily as possible.

Mr. Wm. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the time lapse between the referral by the Housing Executive for a report by the welfare authorities of a dwelling occupied by a disabled person and the presentation of the report by the welfare authority to the Housing Executive grants officer for each health and social services area in Northern Ireland; and whether this period has increased in the last two years.

Mr. David Mitchell

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I understand that the information sought is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind and he writes to me, I will investigate it.

Mr. Wm. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the time lapse between an occupational therapist making a report to the welfare authorities on a dwelling occupied by a disabled person and the delivery of such reports to the Housing Executive grants officer for each health and personal social services area in Northern Ireland; and whether this period has increased in the last two years.

Mr. John Patten

The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. I am not aware of any unreasonable delays in the transmission of reports, but if the hon. Member has a particular case in mind and he writes to me, I will investigate it.