52.—(1) The Executive shall not approve an application for a disabled facilities grant unless it is satisfied—
(a)that the relevant works are necessary and appropriate to meet the needs of the disabled occupant; and
(b)that it is reasonable and practicable to carry out the relevant works, having regard to the age and condition of the dwelling or building;
and, in considering the matter specified in sub-paragraph (a), the Executive shall consult the relevant Health and Social Services Board.
(2) The Executive shall not approve an application for a disabled facilities grant in respect of works to the common parts of a building containing one or more flats unless it is satisfied that the applicant has a power or is under a duty to carry out the relevant works.
(3) Subject to the preceding provisions of this Chapter, the Executive shall approve an application for a disabled facilities grant if the relevant works are for any one or more of the following purposes—
(a)facilitating access by the disabled occupant to and from the dwelling or the building in which the dwelling or, as the case may be, flat is situated;
(b)facilitating access by the disabled occupant to a room used or usable as the principal family room;
(c)facilitating access by the disabled occupant to, or providing for the disabled occupant, a room used or usable for sleeping;
(d)facilitating access by the disabled occupant to, or providing for the disabled occupant, a room in which there is a lavatory, bath, shower or washhand basin or facilitating the use by the disabled occupant of such a facility;
(e)facilitating the preparation and cooking of food by the disabled occupant;
(f)improving any heating system in the dwelling to meet the needs of the disabled occupant or, if there is no existing heating system in the dwelling or any such system is unsuitable for use by the disabled occupant, providing a heating system suitable to meet his needs;
(g)facilitating the use by the disabled occupant of a source of power, light or heat by altering the position of one or more means of access to or control of that source or by providing additional means of control; and
(h)facilitating access and movement by the disabled occupant around the dwelling in order to enable him to care for a person who is normally resident in the dwelling and is in need of such care.
(4) Subject to the preceding provisions of this Chapter, the Executive may approve an application for a disabled facilities grant where the relevant works do not fall within paragraph (3) but are for the purpose of making the dwelling or building suitable for the accommodation, welfare or employment of the disabled occupant.
(5) In this Article “the disabled occupant” means the disabled person for whose benefit it is proposed to carry out any of the relevant works.
(6) In this Part “disabled person” means—
(a)a person who is registered in pursuance of arrangements made under Article 15(1) of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972(1); or
(b)any other person for whose welfare arrangements have been made under that provision or, in the opinion of the relevant Health and Social Services Board, might be made under it.
(7) For the purposes of this Article “the relevant Health and Social Services Board” means the Health and Social Services Board for the area in which the dwelling is situated.