Bernard Allen
Question:197 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children when his Government will put in place a permanent independent living fund in relation to meeting the challenge of equality. [22868/97]
Written Answers. - Independent Living Fund.
A personal assistance service, funded by an independent living fund or otherwise, is one of a range of support services for people with physical and sensory disabilities which are designed to enable people with disabilities to live independently in the community. Such services were reviewed by the review group on health and personal social services for people with physical and sensory disabilities which issued its report, Towards an Independent Future, in December 1996. The report made recommendations for the development of the full range of these services, including personal assistance services.
In addition to £3.688 million provided earlier this year for these services, this Government has, since taking office, provided £10 million for the purchase of aids and appliances for individuals with disabilities, the purchase of essential equipment and to help eliminate deficits accumulated by agencies providing services in the sector.
A total of £8.4 million is being provided in 1998 for services to people with physical and sensory disabilities. Of this, £2.4 million in ongoing funding is being provided to help eliminate underfunding of existing services, £3 million for the development of services and £3 million for capital developments. The priorities for the allocation of the £3 million development funding will be decided by each health board in consultation with the co-ordinating committee for physical/sensory disability services. The amount to be allocated to personal assistance services will be decided as part of this process.