Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Jun 1993

Vol. 432 No. 6

Written Answers. - Funding of Services for Disabled.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

192 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding paid in 1992 by his Department to organisations representing people with physical disability and a sensory disability and to voluntary hospitals in respect of the physically disabled; if he will give details of the increases, if any, in accordance with the Programme for Economic and Social Progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

The funding of voluntary bodies representing, or providing services to people with physical disability is primarily a matter for health boards who provide grants to such organisations under section 65 of the Health Act, 1953.

The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. However, information available to my Department indicates that grants in excess of £7.5 million were paid by health boards to organisations representing people with physical or sensory disability in respect of 1991. Precise figures on the amounts being paid in 1993 is at present being collected in the context of the examination of services being carried out by the Review Group on Physical and Sensory Disability. I will let the Deputy have these figures when they come to hand.

I am making an additional £1.5 million available this year for the development of services for people with physical and sensory disabilities as set out in theProgramme for Economic and Social Progress. My Department is at present in consultation with health boards and voluntary organisations on the allocation of these funds.