Vol. 474 No. 5
50 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the body or association which is recognised by his Department and State bodies as advisers and representatives of the deaf; the extent of funding by his Department to this body or association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3448/97]
51 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the reason for refusing representation from the Irish Deaf Society on State bodies; the reason for his Department's refusal of any funding to the Irish Deaf Society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3449/97]
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 51 together.
There is no process whereby any particular body, statutory or voluntary, is recognised as being the sole advisers or representatives on behalf of any group of people with disabilities. In the statutory area, bodies such as the health boards and the National Rehabilitation Board have ongoing contact with my Department on various matters affecting the interests of people with disabilities, including the deaf. In the voluntary area, there are numerous voluntary bodies representing people with disabilities. It is open to any of these bodies to make submissions to my Department on any matter affecting the interests of its members and Department officials regularly meet such bodies.
Voluntary bodies representing and-or providing services for the deaf are:— The National Association for the Deaf, The Irish Deaf Society, St. Joseph's House for Adult Deaf and Deaf-Blind, St. Mary's School for Deaf Girls, St. Joseph's School for Deaf Boys, Mary Immaculate School for the Hearing Impaired, The National Chaplaincy for the Deaf, The Deaf-Blind Foundation and The Dublin Deaf Association.
The provision of funding to voluntary organisations is a matter for the health boards which make grants in respect of services provided by the organisation in the functional area of the particular board. I understand that the Irish Deaf Society is not receiving a grant from the Eastern Health Board. If the society considers that there is a case to be made for such a grant it should discuss the matter with the board.
