Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 6

Written Answers - Independent Living.

Alan Shatter

Question:

327 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress, if any, made in implementing the recommendations contained in his Department's report on health and personal social services for persons with physical and sensory disabilities, Towards an Independent Future; and his proposed timeframe for implementing outstanding recommendations contained in the report. [23958/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The report of the review group on health and personal social services for people with physical and sensory disabilities, Towards an Independent Future, published in December 1996, set out the requirements for the development of these services over a five year period and estimated the cost at £50 million over the period.

Two of the review group's recommendations are crucial to the future development of services in this sector. These are the establishment of regional co-ordinating committees for physical and sensory disability services in each health board and the establishment of a database of service needs in the sector.

The co-ordinating committees, which comprise representatives of the voluntary and statutory agencies and people with disabilities themselves, have been established and they function in a consultative and advisory capacity to the chief executive officers of the health boards in identifying and prioritising service developments and the allocation of available funding for this purpose.

Following a successful pilot project in three health boards, my Department is in the process of establishing a national committee to develop the database. The database will provide the basis for the accurate identification and quantification of service needs for people with physical and sensory disabilities.

At the beginning of 1997, the previous Government made available an additional £3.688 million revenue for the maintenance and development of the services. In its first six months in office, this Government allocated £10 million by way of once-off funding to address immediate and pressing problems in the sector namely the provision of aids and appliances and the elimination of deficits of the voluntary agencies providing services. This year, a further £8.4 million has been allocated comprising £5.4 million additional revenue and £3 million for capital projects. Of the £5.4 million revenue, £3 million has been specifically earmarked for the development of services in the sector.

As set out in An Action Programme for the Millennium, this Government is committed to ensure that the needs and aspirations of people with disabilities, their families, carers and advocates are comprehensively addressed. With regard to the provision of health services for people with physical and sensory disabilities, this commitment comprehends the implementation of the recommendations set out in Towards an Independent Future. I am satisfied that the additional money made available to date by this Government represents a major step towards implementing the recommendations of the report.

In keeping with the Government's commitments under Partnership 2000, services in the physical and sensory disability sector will continue to be developed to the extent permitted by the availability of development funding. I cannot say at this time what funding will be made available until after the budget.