Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Oct 1995

Vol. 457 No. 4

Written Answers. - St. Michael's House Funding.

Seán Haughey

Question:

90 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health if he will provide additional funding to St. Michael's House in order to increase the level of day care services and the number of residential places provided on the northside of Dublin; if he has satisfied himself with the manner in which existing funding to St. Michael's House is spent and the accountability procedures involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15390/95]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Mr. O'Shea)

The original determination of health expenditure notified to St. Michael's House in respect of 1995 is £10.52 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 was made available this year for the further development of services for people with mental handicap. This funding is being used to provide a broad range of additional services including residential-respite and day services.

The services being provided in the Eastern region have been agreed in detail 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.

A total of £3.003 million has been allocated to the Eastern Health Board region from which the following additional services are being provided by St. Michael's House: 13 residential-respite places; 38 day places; enhanced home support services; hepatitis B vaccinations for staff and client groups considered to be at risk; and enhanced services for people with disturbed behaviour. In all a total of £528,000 in additional revenue funding has been allocated to the agency in 1995. Capital funding of £350,000 has also been provided to support the above mentioned developments.

In addition to the services being provided directly by St. Michael's House clients on their waiting lists have also benefited from the additional services being provided by other mental handicap agencies in the Dublin area. It is the Government's intention to build on these developments in 1996 and future years in line with the commitments outlined in bothA Government of Renewal and the Health Strategy — Shaping aHealthier Future.

All agencies, including St. Michael's House, funded directly by my Department, are required to submit a report on their financial position on a monthly basis in addition to providing audited annual financial statements. In addition there is regular contact between my Department, St. Michael's House and the Eastern Health Board in relation to service related issues.