Vol. 491 No. 7
152 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the positive response to the allocation of £4.3 million for technical aids and appliances for people with disabilities made in 1997, he will make a similar allocation in 1998. [13130/98]
In October, 1997, my colleague Deputy Dermot Ahern, Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs gave details, on behalf of the Government, regarding additional funding of £5.875 million, from savings in the 1997 Social Welfare Vote, made available in grants to voluntary organisations to assist people with disabilities, older people and other disadvantaged groups. Of this money, £4.325 million was made available for voluntary organisations working with people with physical and sensory disabilities to cover a range of aids, appliances and other equipment to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.
I am not in a position to say what decision Government might make in relation to such savings, if any, at the end of this year. However, a total of £8.4 million additional funding has been provided this year for services for people with physical and sensory disabilities, £2.4 million to eliminate underfunding of existing services, £3 million for the development of existing services and £3 million for capital expenditure. Substantial funding for aids and appliances will be provided from these funds.
