Vol. 509 No. 6
347 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the additional supports, including monetary, if any, provided to parents of disabled children without residential or day care since the commencement of the nurses' dispute; the plans, if any, he has to provide this support; the plans, if any, he has to increase the domicilary care allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21386/99]
I am aware that all of the health boards and the voluntary agencies which provide services to children with disabilities endeavoured to maintain as many of the services as possible open during the recent nurses dispute. To this end they worked in co-operation with the local strike committees, not only to manage those services which continued to operate, but also to monitor the position in relation to those individuals whose access to residential, day or respite services was affected by the dispute.
I have asked the health boards to let me have details of any additional supports which were provided over the period in question and I will let the Deputy have this information as soon as it is provided to me.
On the question of an increase in the domiciliary care allowance, the Deputy will be aware that in June 1999 the DCA was increased from £106.70 to £111.20 per month. I have no plans for a further increase in the allowance in the immediate future.
