Vol. 512 No. 3
202 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will report on the application for core funding by the Irish Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus for its national resource offices and headquarters in Clondalkin, Dublin 22. [26483/99]
203 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will report on the submission to his Department in respect of funding for the expansion of the summer independence training and respite care programme run by the Irish Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26484/99]
204 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will report on the application for deficit funding of £32,000 from the Irish Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus which was accumulated over a five year period and if he will approve this application in view of the fact that this was connected to the provision of respite care and the provision of funds for a liaison nurse service at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin. [26485/99]
215 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children his response to the application relating to services from the Irish Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25905/99]
226 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children his response to a recent submission received by his Department from the Irish Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus regarding funding requirements for the organisation in the years ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26076/99]
228 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received an application from the Irish Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus in respect of funding for the expansion of its summer independence training and respite care programme run each year; if he has also received its application for deficit funding of £32,000 accumulated over a five year period; if he will provide this finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26110/99]
238 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children the deficit funding, if any, his Department will make available to the Irish Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus to clear its debt in view of the fact this deficit was accumulated over a five year period and was connected to the provision of respite care for members and the provision of funds for a liaison nurse service to members at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26209/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 202 to 204, inclusive, 215, 226, 228 and 238 together.
Voluntary agencies providing services for people with physical and-or sensory disabilities are funded by the health boards under the provisions of section 65 of the Health Act, 1953. The association must approach each health board in which it is providing services for section 65 funding in relation to those services.
In keeping with the recommendations in the report, Towards an Independent Future, my Department is reviewing the overall position regarding the provision of funding to these agencies. This review comprehends the difficulties, which many agencies have encountered in recent years, regarding the build up of deficits arising out of the provision of health services to the sector. The Irish Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus will be included in the review.
