Vol. 491 No. 2
118 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the immediate proposals, if any, he has to provide additional staff to deal with the crisis in relation to occupational therapy and physiotherapy services for public patients in the Waterford community care area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11611/98]
The provision of occupational therapy and physiotherapy services is a matter for the relevant health board, in the case of Waterford, the South-Eastern Health Board. 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, set out the requirements for the development of these services, including the provision of additional therapy services. This year £3 million has been provided for the development of the services of which £318,000 was allocated to the South-Eastern Health Board. Health boards will decide priorities for allocating this funding in consultation with the local co-ordinating committees for physical and sensory disability services.
