Vol. 451 No. 2
57 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health if he will increase the funding for St. Michael's House in order that more respite places can be provided for mentally handicapped children from the north-side of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6418/95]
I would like to inform the Deputy that the original determination of health expenditure notified to St. Michael's House in respect of 1995 is £10.520 million. The comparable figure for 1994 was £8.965 million. The 1995 determination of health expenditure includes additional funding for increased staffing levels in respect of the changing profile of the agency's clients, additional Exchequer funding to ensure the continued provision of 73 training places by St. Michael's House and the full year cost of the new services put in place during 1994.
As the Deputy is aware, additional funding amounting to £12 million is being made available in 1995 for the further development of services for people with mental handicap. This funding will be used to provide a broad range of additional services, including respite services.
I am not yet in a position to indicate the amount of additional funding which will be allocated to the individual health board regions. The precise services to be provided in the eastern region will be agreed by the Eastern Health Board's Mental Handicap Central Planning Committee, on which St. Michael's House is represented, within the guidelines issued by my Department and subject to my approval.
