Vol. 468 No. 4
234 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many parents of children with disabilities are not fully aware of their entitlements to assistance; the plans, if any, he has to deal with this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15904/96]
Limerick East): At present a wide range of statutory and voluntary bodies provide information to people with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities. These include the health boards, National Rehabilitation Board, National Social Services Board and Disability Federation of Ireland. An information booklet “Information Guide to our Health Services,” which contains a section on services for people with disabilities, is widely available from my Department, health board offices, relevant organisations, libraries and the Internet. Separate information leaflets are also available on domiciliary care allowance and disabled persons maintenance allowance. In addition the Eastern Health Board has in place an information unit which operates as a one-stop shop for information on the full range of health services. This unit is open to a personal callers and can be contacted by a freephone number.
The review group on services for people with physical and sensory disabilities, due to report shortly, deals with all aspects of service provision for people with physical and sensory disabilities. The group's report will address the issue of information needs and will make recommendations so as to ensure that a coherent and comprehensive information service is available to everyone.
