Vol. 481 No. 7
189 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the current position regarding the implementation of the report, Towards an Independent Future; and the progress, if any, being made in relation to the allocation of £12 million over five years. [16966/97]
199 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Health and Children the Department's response, if any, to the review group's report on physical and sensory disability; the amount of money to be provided for this over the next number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17270/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 199 together.
The Review Group on Health and Personal Social Services for people with Physical and Sensory Disabilities in its report, Towards and Independent Future, which was published last December, set out the requirements for the development of services. On foot of the report, an additional £3.688 million was provided this year. There is a commitment in Partnership 2000 to the development of services to persons with disabilities in line with the report, within general expenditure parameters.
The further development of the services will be considered in the light of the resources which may be made available to my Department in 1998.
