Vol. 481 No. 4
129 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will ensure that sufficient funding is allocated in the upcoming budget to clear the waiting lists for residential day care and respite care places to cater for those with a learning disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16083/97]
My Department's Assessment of Need for Services for Persons with a Mental Handicap 1997-2001, which is based on information from the National Intellectual Disability Database, provides information on the current and future needs of persons with a mental handicap. That assessment identified a requirement for 1,439 new residential/respite places and 1,036 new day places over the next five years. It is estimated that the cost of providing these services would be in the region of £63.5 million over the period. Additional funding of £12 million was made available in 1997 to begin the process of meeting these needs.
This Government's commitment to the continued development of services for persons with a mental handicap is clearly set out in An Action Programme for the Millennium. I will be seeking additional funding for 1998 so that the process of meeting these needs can continue.
