Vol. 482 No. 3
220 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Health and Children the three priority areas for action in his Department for 1998 in view of the Government's commitment in An Action Programme for the Millennium, page 18, People with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17955/97]
The Government is committed to the ongoing development of services for people with disabilities.
In relation to services to persons with a mental handicap, ongoing development will be in line with the needs outlined in the assessment of Need for Services for Persons with a Mental Handicap 1997-2001. This includes residential facilities for those with mental handicap and autism.
The report of the Review Group on Health and Personal Social Services for People with Physical and Sensory Disabilities which was published in December 1996 sets out the requirements for the development of these services. Priority areas for development are respite care, day care and home supports. I am not in a position to say what funding will be available in 1998 for any particular service. However, I am fully committed to the further development of services for people with disabilities in the context of additional funding available in 1998.
