Vol. 478 No. 3
33 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Health the level of funding which will be provided in 1997 towards the independent living fund for the provision of personal assistance for disabled persons; his future intentions regarding the scheme; and the timescale he envisages for implementation of the recommendations of the report entitled "Towards an Independent Future" by the advisory group on physical and sensory disability.[11032/97]
Limerick East): The establishment of an independent living fund has been proposed as a means of funding a personal assistance service to enable people with disabilities to live independently in the community.The Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities recommended the introduction of a cost of disability payment which would enable people with disabilities to meet the additional living and medical costs of having a disability, including the provision of a personal assistance service. This recommendation is currently being considered by the Inter-Departmcntal Task Force which was set up to report in June to Government on the commission's report.
Currently, personal assistance services are being provided through the Irish Wheelchair Association which has been allocated £518,000 in 1997 for this serviee from the Eastern Health Board and by the Centre for Independent Living through FAS Community Employment Schemes. I am making £1 million available this year for the development of support services for people with physical and sensory disabilities, including personal assistance services.
The report of the Review Group on Health and Personal Social Services for People with Physical and Sensory Disabilities, Towards an Independent Future, made recommendations on a wide range of issues, including the development of services over a five year period. The report is being considered, in conjunction with the health recommendations of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities, by the Inter-Departmenlal Task Force and Monitoring Committee.
