Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 16 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 8

Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.

John Perry

Question:

58 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made on the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the funding for the independent living fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27364/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The establishment of an independent living fund has been proposed by the Centre for Independent Living as a means of funding a personal assistance service.

The personal assistance service is part of a range of support services for people with physical and sensory disabilities designed to enable them to live in the community with the maximum possible degree of independence. My policy is to develop the range of services as a whole in accordance 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.

To date this Government has provided a total of £38.162 million for the maintenance and development of services in the sector, including capital developments. Additional revenue funding of £3 million in 1998 and £3 million in 1999, increasing to £6 million full year cost in 2000, was provided for the development of these services, including personal support and assistance services. In my recent budget speech I announced a further £7 million development funding for ser vices for people with physical and sensory disabilities, increasing to £14 million in the year 2001. I have decided that this funding will be primarily targeted at the provision of additional day care places and home support services. To this end, I have targeted £3 million, increasing to £6 million in the year 2001 for home support services, which includes personal assistance services.

I have no plans at present to introduce an independent living fund, as proposed by the Centre for Independent Living, as a means of funding the personal assistance service. Priorities for the allocation of development funding are decided by the health boards in consultation with the regional co-ordinating committees for physical and sensory disability services. Voluntary sector service agencies, including centres for independent living and service users are represented on these committees.