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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Jan 1996

Vol. 460 No. 3

Written Answers. - Provision of Residential Places.

Liam Lawlor

Question:

179 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Health if he will increase the level of additional funding in 1996 in order to provide for more than the 66 extra residential/respite places for persons with mental handicap recently announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1206/96]

Additional funding of £10 million has been made available in 1996 for services to persons with a mental handicap.

£3 million of the £6 million revenue will be used to meet the 1996 cost of the additional services which were put in place in 1995.

The remaining £3 million will be used to enable the health boards to put in place 66 additional residential-respite places, 265 additional day care places and to extend the home support services.

In allocating this funding between the various types of service provision, particular emphasis was placed this year on the provision of support to those living at home and-or awaiting placement in appropriate services.

Of the £4 million capital funding which is being provided in 1996, £2 million will be used to develop and improve the quality of training facilities for persons with a mental handicap as part of the 1994-1999 European Regional Development Fund assisted programme. Expenditure of the remaining £2 milion will be directly related to service developments as agreed by the regional mental handicap co-ordinating committees and approved by me.

As the Deputy is aware, substantial additional funding has been made available in recent years for the development of services to persons with a mental handicap. In the period 1990-1995 additional funding amounting to £44.58 million has been invested in the services. New services provided include the development of the home support services and the provision of over 1,000 new residential-respite places and 2,100 new day care places.
Overall expenditure on services to persons with a mental handicap has increased from £162 million in 1990 to over £250 million in 1995.
While I am satisfied that this injection of funds has made a substantial impact, I am aware that more needs to be done if we are to meet the needs of those awaiting services. The Government is committed to the continued development of the services, as resources become available. This commitment is outlined in bothA Government of Renewal and the Health Strategy “Shaping a Healthier Future”.
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