Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Nov 1997

Vol. 483 No. 2

Written Answers. - Services for Disabled Persons.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

136 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has for the necessary accommodation to cater for residential and respite care for persons with physical or mental disabilities; the extent to which current accommodation meets requirements in this regard; the total number of places currently available in this regard; the total number of these places needed over the next ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20011/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The Government's commitment to the ongoing development of services to persons with physical disabilities or mental handicap is clearly outlined 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.

In relation to the identification of service requirements such as residential and respite places for persons with a mental handicap, the National Intellectual Disability Database is now providing my Department, the health boards and voluntary service providers with comprehensive information on the population of persons with a mental handicap and their needs over the next five years. The database does not hold details of service requirements over a ten year period.

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, 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 revenue funding of £12 million was made available in 1997 to begin the process of meeting these needs.

Respite care is provided in a number of ways. In some cases it is provided in a residential setting, which may be in places specifically designated as respite, or alternatively through the use at weekends of places vacated by people who are in receipt of five day residential services. It is also provided by host families through the various share a break schemes. The home support services can also provide shorter respite breaks for carers.

With regard to people with physical disabilities, the report of the Review Group on Health and Personal Services for People with Physical and Sensory Disabilities, Towards an Independent Future, which was published in December 1996, recommended that 200 respite places and 100 residential places should be provided. A new national respite centre in Donamon, Roscommon, run by the Irish Wheelchair Association, which provides up to 60 places for respite and holiday breaks, was officially opened in June this year. In addition, 18 new respite places have been established in four health board areas in 1996-97. There is also a fund of £500,000, transferred to my Department in 1995 from the Department of Social Welfare, for the payment of grants to voluntary organisations providing respite care services. This fund is administered by the health boards.