Vol. 475 No. 1
70 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Health the action, if any, he proposes to take in 1997 for the implementation of the report entitled, Towards an Independent Future, by his review group which has reported to him; the amount of money being allocated for the implementation of this report in 1997, including decisions taken by the Minister for Finance in the 1997 budget in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1973/97]
114 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, there are to implement the report of the review group on health and personal social services for people with physical and sensory disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4673/97]
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 114 together.
The Report of the Review Group on Health and Personal Social Services for People with Physical and Sensory Disabilities, Towards an Independent future, sets out the requirements for the development of services. The report has been circulated to health boards and officials of my Department are now in discussion with the boards regarding the process of implementing the report, including the establishment of a national database on the service requirements of persons with physical and sensory disabilities and the establishment of regional co-ordinating committees which will examine the future development of services at local level and on which the voluntary sector will be represented.
A total of £3.688 million revenue funding has been provided towards the implementation of the report this year. This is comprised of £2.188 million built into the health board allocations in 1997 to help put existing services on a more secure financial footing and fund services initiated in 1996, £1 million towards the development of new services and £500,000 for work places for people with a physical or sensory disability.
