Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Apr 1995

Vol. 451 No. 5

Written Answers. - Irish Wheelchair Association Driving School.

Seamus Brennan

Question:

88 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Health his views on the imminent closure of the Irish Wheelchair Association Driving School: if his attention has been drawn to the efforts by the association to develop a 32 county service in conjunction with their Northern Ireland counterparts, Disability Action; if the relevant Departments will agree on a single assistance package which will allow the disabled to continue to avail of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6729/95]

Seamus Brennan

Question:

91 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the level of grant aid from his Department through the health boards for the Irish Wheelchair Association Driving School is sufficient to meet the demands for the service after 1 April 1995; whether the capitation basis of grant aid in respect of candidates who pass the regular driving test following completion of the course and who meet certain qualifying criteria is only one-third of the overall cost of providing the service; the way in which the Government expects the service to continue if grant aid is not increased; if he has instructed all health boards to conform with the proposed prompt payment legislation to avoid a situation wherein the Irish Wheelchair Association is required to fund the total cost for prolonged periods due to the test not being taken for some years after the initial assessment and tuition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6749/95]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 91 together.

I am aware that the Irish Wheelchair Association is experiencing difficulties in financing current levels of service at the driving school. As the Deputy knows, current statutory funding for this service is provided through a capitation payment by each health board to trainees approved by the board who pass the regular driving test. In regard to the level of funding currently provided through the health boards, the association has stated that there is a shortfall in annual running costs of approximately £80,000.

All health boards have been advised by my Department to pay valid debts within 45 days. My Department wrote to the health boards on 16 March 1995 asking them to ensure prompt payment of grants to the association in respect of eligible claims. They were also asked to supply details of eligibility criteria applied by each board so that the extent of uniformity in assessment of claims and payment of grants can be measured and for their views generally on the value of the service. This information has not yet been received from the health boards. I have also made arrangements with the National Rehabilitation Hospital for the recoupment of the cost to the Irish Wheelchair Association of providing a driving school service to patients at the hospital.

I am aware that the association has been contacted by the Northern Ireland organisation Disability Action with a view to developing a 32 county service. I have asked my officials to contact the Irish Wheelchair Association for further information and, following receipt of full information from the health boards, to examine all options for future funding. I will contact the Deputy in due course on the matter.