Written question WQ82831
- Asked by
- Jayne BryantLabour
- To be answered by
- Minister for Climate Change
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 3 days
Question
What is the Welsh Government doing to ensure local authorities can meet the housing adaptation needs of people living with motor neurone disease?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Climate Change
This year, I have increased support substantially to local authorities to ensure the means test is no longer applied to small and medium Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs). I have committed to monitoring the impact of this change over an initial 3 year period. All providers also now work to the same service standards which include consistent timescales to complete adaptations. These developments are a significant step forward to ensure disabled people, including those with a life limiting illness such as Motor Neurone Disease (MND), can receive adaptions more quickly and at no cost to them.
I have also amended the Integrated Care Fund (ICF) Capital Programme Guidance giving Regional Partnership Boards (RPBs) the discretion to fund the additional costs of larger DFGs over £36,000. Working together with local authorities, I am confident we will improve access to adaptations for those who need them, as well as reducing waiting times.