Vol. 498 No. 1
227 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if £100,000 was allocated to the South-Eastern Health Board in 1998 for aids and appliances for the disabled; and, if so, if he has satisfied himself that the grant was used for this purpose. [26288/98]
I have had inquiries made of the South-Eastern Health Board in this matter and I am informed that in the period from January to the end of November, this year, the board spent a total of £619,209 on aids and appliances for people with disabilities, those on the long-term illness scheme and those assessed by the occupational and pshyiotherapy services.
This represents an increase of £258,813 in spending by the board on aids and appliances over the same period in 1997 and includes the £100,000 allocation made to the board from capital for the provision of these items in 1998.
