Vol. 510 No. 6
208 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures taken to improve basic community services to support people with physical disabilities and their families in line with the requirements set out by the Irish Wheelchair Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23171/99]
In its budget 2000 submission, in relation to services for people with physical and sensory disabilities, the Irish Wheelchair Association calls for additional revenue funding totalling £32 million to be made available for the provision of additional residential and respite places, day resource centres, personal assistance services and the introduction of a cost of disability payment scheme.
Since the Government took office in 1997, a total of £38.162 million additional funding has been provided for services to people with physical and sensory disabilities. In line with the recommendations of the report of the Review Group on Health and Personal Social Services for People with Physical and Sensory Disabilities, Towards an Independent Future, this funding has mainly been allocated to address historical deficits in the voluntary sector, to address identified core underfunding of existing services and to develop a number of services such as respite, residential, home support – including personal assistance – day care, therapy services and sheltered employment. Once-off funding has also been provided for the provision of aids and appliances.
