Written Answers. - Funding for Mentally Handicapped.
Richard Bruton
Question:
457
Mr. R. Bruton
asked the
Minister for Health
if he will give details of the overall financial provision for services for persons with a mental handicap in 1992 and 1993, giving details of the moneys allocated to different types of services.
Richard Bruton
Question:
458
Mr. R. Bruton
asked the
Minister for Health
if he will give the detailed spending allocations of the £8 million provided in the budget for services for persons with a mental handicap.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 457 and 458 together.
The revised allocation in respect of 1992 to agencies providing services for people with a mental handicap which are directly funded by my Department is expected to be in the region of £97 million. Estimated expenditure on services for people with a mental handicap by health boards and other agencies in 1992 is as follows:
|
£000
|
|
Psychiatric Hospitals
|
23.752
|
|
Health Board/ Mental Handicap Centres
|
17.860
|
|
Section 65 grants and Other Grants by Health Boards
|
24.212
|
|
Disabled Persons Maintenance Allowances
|
32.477
|
|
Domiciliary Care Allowances
|
3.948
|
The 1993 Estimates for my Department include provision to maintain, in real terms, the 1992 level of services this year. In respect of the mental handicap agencies directly funded by my Department, an allocation of £104.7 million has been made available this year. A detailed breakdown of estimated expenditure under the headings mentioned in respect of 1992 is not yet available in respect of 1993.
A special additional allocation of £8 million was made available to my Department in the budget to provide significant improvements in services for people with disabilities. This extra allocation is the largest additional allocation ever made in this area.
I am proposing to implement a package of measures which will address the most acute needs for services, mainly for people with a mental handicap, but also for people with a physical or sensory disability.
The following additional services will be put in place for people with a mental handicap and their families:
—an additional 70 residential places
—an additional 200 day places
—an extension of respite services to support families. This extension will make progress towards the point where planned respite breaks will be available, on a regular basis, to all families and carers
—additional home support services for 800-900 families
—improved services for those who are behaviourally disturbed
—further transfers of people with mental handicap from psychiatric hospitals to more appropriate placements within the mental handicap services
—an extension of early intervention and child development services.
The actual services to be provided will be agreed in each health board area by the Regional Mental Handicap Co-ordinating Committees, which are representative of the health boards, voluntary agencies and parents, and approved by my Department.
Additional services for people with a physical or sensory disability which will be put in place this year will include:
—the opening of additional independent living residential units together with appropriate support services
—the extension of support services to people with disabilities living at home
—respite services for families and relatives caring for people with disabilities
—additional day care places
—extra community based therapists
The details of the allocation of this additional funding are still being finalised.
