Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.
Theresa Ahearn
Question:
258
Mrs. T. Ahearn
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is wide disparity in the community based services available through the health boards for people with physical disability depending on where they live; the steps, if any, he has taken to address this disparity; the plans, if any, he has to establish a database of people with physical and sensory disability along the lines of the national intellectual disability database to assist with improved provisions of service in each of the health board areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6208/99]
I am aware that differences exist in service provision for people with physical and sensory disabilities between different areas of the country. This is due to differing needs, differing responses to service needs, historical and many other factors. This was one of the key issues examined by the Review Group on Health and Personal Social Services for People with Physical and Sensory Disabilities. In its report, Towards an Independent Future, the group recommended, inter alia, the establishment of regional co-ordinating committees for physical and sensory disability services in each health board. These committees provide a structure for the involvement of voluntary sector service providers and people with disabilities themselves in the planning and co-ordination of services at local level. The committees are now in operation in all health boards. The review group also recommended the establishment of a database on the health service needs of people with physical and sensory disabilities. I have established a database development committee which is preparing detailed proposals for the development of the database.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
260
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the number of residential and respite places available for persons with mental or sensory disabilities; the number of these places required; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6229/99]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
261
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the extent by which he proposes to increase the number of residential places available to those patients with disabilities whose families or relatives are no longer in a position to provide the degree of care needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6230/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 261 together.
The information on residential and respite places available to people with physical and sensory disabilities has been requested from the health boards. This information has not, as yet, been received from all of the boards. It will be furnished to the Deputy as soon as it is to hand.
Respite care for people with physical and sensory disabilities and their carers is provided by means of a range of support services, such as home support and day activity services, as well as residential respite care. The report of the Review Group on Health and Personal Social Services for People with Physical and Sensory Disabilities, Towards an Independent Future, in making recommendations for the development of the services, distinguishes between respite care services provided in non-residential and that provided in residential settings.
Since my Government took office it has provided a total of £36.55 million for the maintenance and development of services to people with physical and sensory disabilities. Of this, £3 million, £6 million full year cost in the year 2000, has been provided for the development of the services this year. Priorities for the allocation of this funding will be decided by health boards in consultation with the regional co-ordinating committees for physical and sensory disabilities services. The provision of additional residential care services will be considered in this context.
Information from the national intellectual disability database indicated that, as at September 1996, 7,572 persons with a mental handicap were in receipt of five or seven day residential services. 14,989 persons were in receipt of day services, of whom 1,875 also received residential support services. A further 243 persons were identified as receiving residential support services only. However, because of the fact that, for most people, respite services are provided as a secondary service, in addition to their primary service, which would be either in educational or day placement, the level of reporting of this secondary service in 1996 did not fully reflect the level of respite services being provided. Data in respect of 1998, which I expect will be available in the next three months, will more fully reflect the level of respite service for people with mental handicap and autism and I will arrange for this information to be forwarded to the Deputy when it becomes available.
As the Deputy may be aware, respite services are provided in a number of ways. In addition to those services provided in a residential setting, respite care is also provided by host families through the various share a break and other similar schemes, where individuals are placed with families who offer to assist in caring for persons wit a mental handicap and autism.
My Department's Assessment of Need for Services for Persons with a Mental Handicap 1997-2001, which is based on information from the national intellectual disability database, provides information on the current and future needs of persons with a mental handicap, including the need for residential-respite places. That assessment identified a requirement for 1,439 new residential-respite places and 1,036 new day places during the period 1997-2001, at a revenue cost of £63.5 million.
This year I was pleased to be in a position to provide additional revenue funding of £12 million, with a full year cost of £18 million in 2000, to continue the process of meeting these needs. This funding will provide approximately 320 new residential places; 80 new respite places and 200 new day places. It will also provide additional health related support services for children with autism, continue the programme to transfer persons with a mental handicap from inappropriate placements and provide additional specialist and other support services.
The provision of 80 new places specifically for respite care will enhance the level of respite services available to persons with a mental handicap and autism.
Capital funding of at least £10 million will also be made available from the national capital programme to support the new service developments in 1999. This brings to £53 million, at a full year cost of £59 million, the funding which I have allocated towards meeting the requirements set out in the Assessment of Need, since my appointment in June 1997.
