What is the Welsh Government doing to ensure local authorities can meet the housing adaptation needs of people living with motor neurone disease?
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.