Calls for progression on works under Disabled Persons Grant

A total of 9 extensions are taking place under the Local Authority Disabled Persons Grant in Cork North while 85 minor works are also taking place, the Northern Committee heard at this week’s meeting.

Kanturk based councillor John Paul O’Shea, highlighted public queries on the topic of the Disabled Persons Grants (DPGs) not being approved or progressed, and asked the council how many of these works could be progressed.

Local councillor Deirdre O’Brien also asked whether the council had begun to move into works relating to those deemed lower priorities. “I know we were just looking at higher priorities back along and I’m just wondering how the movement on that is coming along,” she asked.

Cork County Council Senior Executive Officer Karina Cremin, told the council that funding from the department has yet to be allocated for 2021. However, she said, five major extensions are ongoing under this grant, three of which are in the North Cork area.

Ms Cremin added that Cork County Council has written to the department in February requesting further funding for this year and are awaiting an allocation.

She also noted that last year’s allocation of funding was reduced compared to previous years and that the council continue to carry out the major works while a minor works programme is underway.

HOPES FOR AN INCREASE

Cllr William O’Leary noted that there are currently seven categorisations of priority under the grant scheme and while he acknowledged the difficulties imposed on the council and on construction works by Covid-19, he asked the council for applications to be reassessed by an occupational therapist.

“I feel that people who are categorised towards the lower end going back in some cases a year, their condition would have deteriorated.

“People at the lower end of the list, at present there is ‘little or no hope of getting down to them at the moment and I feel we do need to look at ways to progress it. I think it’s important that we keep an eye on it and progress it as quickly as we can,” Cllr O’Leary said.

Director of Service Maurice Manning stated that both Covid-19 and the reduced allocation for 2020 had an impact on the programme as he stated ‘DPGs are a concern for us as well’.

“We have set out our requirements for the department and sought additional funding for the programme.

“We haven’t gotten a confirmation of the allocation but we would hope that there would be some increase on the 2020 figure and that will allow us to do some additional works,” Mr Manning said.