Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 May 1999

Vol. 505 No. 4

Written Answers. - Health Services.

Seán Barrett

Question:

122 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, to set up specialist epilepsy care centres in the various health board areas together with the appointment of a epilepsy specialist nurse in each area. [13998/99]

Seán Barrett

Question:

123 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will provide funding to the Irish Epilepsy Association for the setting up of clinics. [13999/99]

Nora Owen

Question:

126 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children the assistance, if any, he will provide to an organisation (details supplied) to allow it to fund regular clinics; the grant aid this organisation is already receiving; the proposals, if any, he has to provide more neurologists outside of Dublin and Cork in view of the fact that there is only one neurologist based outside these cities; the proposals, if any, he has to provide epilepsy specialist nurses to work in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14002/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 123 and 126 together.

The provision of health services, including neurology and specialist nurses, is a matter for the health board or the voluntary hospital in the first instance.

As recommended in 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, regional co-ordinating committees for services for people with physical and sensory disabilities have been set up in each health board area. These bring together health boards, voluntary sector service providers and consumers. One of the primary functions of the co-ordinating committee is to advise on priorities for the allocation of funds available for the development of the services. This year £3 million, £6 million full year cost in the year 2000, has been provided for the development of services. The allocation of funding out of this for the provision of clinics to provide advice, counselling and information to people with epilepsy, their families and their carers must be considered by each board in consultation with its co-ordinating committee.