Vol. 507 No. 4
127 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if he supports the European declaration on epilepsy known as the Heidleberg Declaration; if he will support Brainwave's Irish Epilepsy Association proposal for a specialist epilepsy care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16987/99]
The overall thrust of Government policy for people with disabilities, including people with epilepsy, is to provide the supports necessary to enable each individual to live in the community with the maximum possible degree of independence. This approach is in keeping with the recommendations of the report of the commission on the status of people with disabilities, A Strategy for Equality. The practical steps needed to develop services in my area of responsibility are set out in the report of the review group on health and personal social services for people with physical and sensory disabilities, Towards an Independent Future.
To address the complex issues involved in developing services in the sector, Towards an Independent Future recommended the establishment of co-ordinating committees for physical and sensory disability services in each health board. These committees, which are representative of the voluntary and statutory agencies providing services in the sector and consumers, were established last year. One of their functions is to advise the chief executive officers of the health boards on priorities for the allocation of funding available for the development of these services.
The funding of voluntary sector service providers, such as Brainwave, is a matter for the relevant health board in whose functional area services are being provided. Brainwave has in the past, received funding from each of the health boards for the provision of services.
I have noted the declaration mentioned in the question and the Deputy can be assured that services for people with epilepsy will continue to be developed in line with the recommendations in Towards an Independent Future and in accordance with the availability of resources.
