Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 4

Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

294 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that one of the minibuses servicing the CPI Sandymount school and clinic, Sandymount Avenue, Dublin 4, has been out of commission for three days recently, leaving pupils and families in a very difficult situation; the plans, if any, he has to make available a spare minibus that could be used if one of the normal buses develops mechanical problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27356/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

This problem is an operational matter for CPI and has not been brought to the attention of my Department. As part of my Department's commitment to the improvement of services for people with physical disabilities, I have made additional revenue funding of £722,000 available to CPI this year and will make a further £210,000 available from 1999.

John Gormley

Question:

295 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the number of people in wheelchairs who have applied to date for personal assistants under the personal assistants scheme; if he has satisfied himself that the demands for personal assistants is being met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27357/98]

John Gormley

Question:

296 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children the level of public funding available for the personal assistants scheme run by the Irish Wheelchair Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27358/98]

John Gormley

Question:

298 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to reports that 35 eligible persons applying for the job as personal assistants with the Irish Wheelchair Association turned down the offer of employment due to the low level of pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27360/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 295, 296 and 298 together.

The overall thrust of the Government's policy in relation to services for people with disabilities is to provide the supports necessary to enable them to live in the community with the maximum degree of independence possible for each individual. In line with the recommendations of the report, Towards an Independent Future, this involves the provision of a range of services, including respite care, day care, therapy services and home supports, including personal assistance services. I am aware that all these services are in need of further development. The objective of policy is to develop the range of services as a whole in accordance with the availability of funding.

In 1998 additional funding totalling £12.4 million was provided for services specifically for people with physical and sensory disabilities. Of this, £3 million was for the development of the services. In 1999 a total of £13.4 million is being provided of which £3 million is for development. As recommended in the report, it is a matter for each health board to decide, in consultation with its local co-ordinating committee for physical and sensory disability services, on priorities for the allocation of this funding in its functional area. The development of personal assistance services is one of the priority areas to be considered in this process.

Personal assistance services are provided by the Irish Wheelchair Association, funded by the Eastern Health Board and by the Centre for Independent Living through the use of FÁS trainees under the community employment scheme.

I am aware that some difficulties are being experienced in the operation of the personal assistance scheme run by the Irish Wheelchair Association in conjunction with the Eastern Health Board. One of the difficulties is in recruiting and retaining persons to act as personal assistants. It has been represented to me that this is due, in part, to the relatively low level of remuneration being paid to personal assistants by the Irish Wheelchair Association. Following discussion with officials of my Department with the Eastern Health Board, I have decided to allocate additional funding to the board in 1999 to enable this issue to be addressed.

John Gormley

Question:

299 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the work of the Dublin branch of the Irish Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, in particular the qualified support offered by the branch to affected families through the employment of a family support worker; the proposals, if any, he has, to further resource and support the work of this organisation at Dublin, regional and national levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27361/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

Voluntary agencies, such as the Irish Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus are funded by health boards under the provisions of section 65 of the Health Act, 1953. Proposals to increase funding to such organisations should be discussed with the relevant health board. I understand that the Eastern Health Board allocated funding in 1998 to the IASBH and Muscular Dystrophy Ireland for a joint family support worker pilot project. The project will be evaluated by the board early next year.