Sheehan Calls for Medical Administration Fees on Disability Grant Applications to be Abolished

Independent Councillor Michael Sheehan has called on the Government to outlaw administration fees being charged for medical forms required as part of disability and housing adaptation grant applications.

The councillor said he has become increasingly concerned about the financial burden being placed on vulnerable individuals who require urgent home adaptations and repairs, many of whom are already facing significant health challenges.

Local authorities across Ireland administer a range of housing adaptation and disability grants designed to help people remain living safely and independently in their own homes. As part of the application process, applicants are required to have medical forms completed, signed and stamped by a healthcare professional.

According to Cllr Sheehan, some constituents are being charged up to €60 for the completion of these forms, on top of the cost of a medical consultation.

"People who are seriously ill or in a very vulnerable condition are already facing long waits to secure appointments with their GP or other medical professionals due to demand on services," he said.

"To then be faced with an additional charge simply to have essential paperwork completed is unfair and creates an unnecessary barrier to accessing supports."

Cllr Sheehan is calling on the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne O'Donnell, to review the scheme and introduce changes that would either prohibit such charges or provide greater flexibility to local authorities regarding the medical certification requirements.

"What I want is for Minister O'Donnell to change the criteria of the scheme to allow councils more flexibility in the medical aspect of the process or to rule these charges out altogether," he said.

The independent councillor argued that the issue goes beyond cost and can directly affect the speed at which critical home adaptation works are approved and carried out.

"This is a huge issue for me because the people involved are often in a very worried and vulnerable condition. The last thing they need is a financial barrier when urgent repairs or adaptations are required in their homes."

He warned that additional costs could discourage some applicants from proceeding with necessary works that could significantly improve their quality of life.

"In many cases these adaptations are life-changing and are needed during the latter stages of a person's health journey. No one should be deterred from accessing essential supports because they cannot afford administration fees for medical paperwork."

Cllr Sheehan said he will continue to raise the matter with Government representatives until changes are introduced to ensure vulnerable applicants can access housing adaptation grants without additional financial obstacles.