Bernard Allen
Question:275 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of person with intellectual disabilities awaiting residential or respite services. [27043/99]
Written Answers. - Health Services.
Bernard Allen
Question:276 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people with intellectual disabilities requiring urgent services in each of the years from 1996 to 1998. [27044/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 275 and 276 together.
The information sought by the Deputy in relation to 1996 and 1998 is set out as follows. Following the publication of the first annual report on the database in 1997, a total revision of the database protocols, the guidelines for the completion of data forms and the database software was undertaken and consequently similar information in relation to 1997 was not collated.
|
Year |
Residential |
Residential Support(Respite) |
Day |
|
1996 |
1,439 |
– |
1,036 |
|
1998 |
1,673 |
850* |
952 |
*Enhanced recording of secondary service requirements, such as respite care following the review in 1997 has allowed the Department and the health boards to use this information.
When account is taken of the 1999 developments, the numbers of new residential and day places required will be in the region of 1,353 and 752 respectively.
The Deputy will be aware that the Government has announced its intention to clear the backlog in relation to residential, respite and day services over the next three years.
I recently announced a major acceleration of the investment programme in the area of services for persons with an intellectual disability. The additional funding being provided in 2000 is designed to support the opening of additional services, including residential, respite and day services, with an annual cost of £35 million. Because of the timeframe involved in bringing all of the new services planned for 2000 on stream, the actual cost of these services in 2000 will be £28 million. This funding is in addition to the £10.7 million already allocated to the services in 2000 to meet the full year costs of the 1999 developments and identified needs in existing services. This brings the total additional revenue funding provided in 2000 for the services to £38.7 million, increasing to £45.7 million on 1 January 2001.
I am also making available £80 million capital over the next three years to accelerate the process of putting in place the necessary infrastructure to support these services. A total of £30 million will be made available in 2000, £40 million in 2001 and the balance of £10 million in 2002. In accordance with normal practice, a revenue allocation commensurate with the capital investment in the services will also be made over this period.