Vol. 512 No. 6
204 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has enhanced the financial aid for the personal assistance service provided by the Centres for Independent Living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26847/99]
The personal assistance service is one of a range of home support services provided by the health boards to enable people with physical disabilities to achieve the maximum degree of independence. This year I provided additional revenue funding totalling £9.4 million, with a full year cost of £12.4 million in 2000, for the maintenance and development of services for people with physical and sensory disabilities. From this funding a total of £754,500, rising to £1,117,500 in 2000, has been provided for the range of home support services including personal assistance services.
I am also providing an additional £7 million in 2000, rising to £14 million in 2001, for the further development of services for people with physical and sensory disabilities and £3 million, rising to £6 million in 2001, of this funding will be targeted at the provision of home support services including personal services.
The allocation of this additional funding will be decided by the health boards in consultation with their regional co-ordinating committees for physical and sensory disability services, on which the Centre for Independent Living is represented.
