Michael Ring
Question:234 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when he will supply funding to implement the recommendations contained in the document Towards an Independent Future and A Strategy for Equality. [26363/98]
Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.
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, sets out the requirements for the development of services in this sector over a five year period. In relation to the report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities, A Strategy for Equality, I presume the Deputy is referring to that report's recommendations in regard to people with physical and sensory disabilities.
In its first six months in office, the Government made available £10 million to address immediate and pressing problems relating to the provision of aids and appliances for people with physical and sensory disabilities and to address deficits of voluntary agencies providing services in the sector. This year a further £8.4 million was provided comprising £2.4 million additional revenue for the maintenance of existing services, £3 million additional revenue for development of services and £3 million capital to support developments in the sector. Last week, I announced the provision of a further £4 million by way of Supplementary Estimate for the provision of aids and appliances.
In all, therefore, up to the end of 1998, an additional £22.4 million will have been invested in the physical and sensory disability sector by this Government, underscoring its commitment to implementing Towards an Independent Future. This compares most favourably against the provision of £3.688 million by the previous administration in the first half of 1997 immediately following the publication of the report. In 1999 a total of £9.4 million additional revenue (£12.4 million in a full year in the year 2000) is being provided, £6.4 million in my Department's Estimates and £3 million in the budget. This funding will be used for the maintenance of existing services including training for people with physical and sensory disabilities and for the development of the services. The sector will also benefit from the provision of capital funding of £4 million in 1999.