Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Dec 1997

Vol. 483 No. 6

Written Answers. - Wheelchair Waiting Lists.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

278 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will provide the necessary funding of £50,000 to clear waiting list for appliances and aids including wheelchairs for County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21147/97]

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

286 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children when funding will be made available to the Southern Health Board to eliminate the waiting list for appliances and aids including wheelchairs for County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21468/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 286 together.

The report of the Review Group on Health and Personal Social Services for People with Physical and Sensory Disabilities,Towards an Independent Future, which was published in December 1996 sets out the requirements for the development of the services. As recommended in this report, co-ordinating committees are being put in place in the health boards. One of the primary functions of the co-ordinating committees will be to advise the chief executive officer of each board on priorities for the allocation of funds available for the development of the services. The question of allocating additional funds for the provision of aids and applicances to people with disabilities will be considered as part of this process.

Recently the Government, with the agreement of my colleague, Deputy Dermot Ahern, Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, decided to devote £4.325 million savings on his Department's Vote to voluntary agencies working with people with disabilities for the purchase of aids, applicances and equipment, including wheelchairs. Each of the agencies which have received a grant under this scheme are co-ordinating the provision of aids, applicances etc. with their regional branches and the local health boards. A sum of £266,000 was paid directly to agencies in the Southern Health Board area. Other grants were paid to the national headquarters of agencies and are intended to cover the whole country. It is not possible to identify what portion will go to County Kerry. The provision of this funding will have an impact on health board waiting lists for aids and applicances.

An announcement will be made in the context of the budget on the level of funding to be allocated to these services in 1998.