Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 7

Written Answers. - Health Allocations.

Noel Dempsey

Question:

129 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Health if he will reconsider his allocation of £230,000 for disability services to the North Eastern Health Board in view of the fact that this sum is inadequate to meet the cost of existing services and will not provide sufficient funds for the proposed setting up of a training and education centre for school leavers with a learning disability. [4079/96]

Colm M. Hilliard

Question:

147 Mr. Hilliard asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the 1996 financial allocation for disability services in the North Eastern Health Board area is totally inadequate to meet the needs of existing services; and the plans, if any, he has to increase this allocation. [3861/96]

Colm M. Hilliard

Question:

148 Mr. Hilliard asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it was intended to establish by September 1996, a training and education centre for school leavers with a learning disability in Navan, County Meath; and his views on the fact that this centre is now to be scrapped in view of the lack of interest in the matter. [3862/96]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 129, 147 and 148 together.

Additional revenue funding of £3 million has been provided for the development of new services for persons with a mental handicap in 1996. Of this £230,000 has been allocated to the North Eastern Health Board region. This will enable additional residential/respite and day services to be provided and allow the further extension of the home support services in the region. The health board will shortly be submitting proposals for the development of new services to my Department. Decisions about a capital allocation to support these developments will be made when the proposals are received.

In addition, £85,000 revenue has been allocated to the health board for the development of services for people with a physical handicap. A capital allocation will be decided when I have received proposals from the health board.

In addition to this funding, the North Eastern Health Board region has been allocated capital funding of £442,000 in 1996 for the development and improvement of vocational training centres and equipment for people with disabilities. This funding is part of the overall EU assisted funding for vocational training of people with disabilities under the Human Resources Operational Programme.

It is my intention, on completion of the validation process in respect of the National Mental Handicap Database later this year, to initiate a review of the implementation of both policy documents, Needs and Abilities, and Services to Persons with Autism, with a view to preparing an overall medium-term development plan for the services. Also, following the publication later this year of the report of the Review Group on Services for People with Physical and Sensory disabilities, I will have a further look at the needs of the physically disabled.

With reference to the further education centre in Navan for young people with a mental handicap leaving special schools, I understand from the North Eastern Health Board that while some initial funding and a premises for this project has been made available, the question of additional funding and support is currently being pursued from a number of sources, including the Department of Education and FAS.