Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 16 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 8

Written Answers. - Mental Health Services.

Richard Bruton

Question:

64 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the acute shortage of residential and respite beds for persons with an intellectual disability in north Dublin; the number of these beds which are currently at planning stage for the northside; and whether these will be funded from the recent budget allocation. [27371/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The Government recognises the needs of people with an intellectual disability and is committed to meeting those needs within a defined timeframe of three years, starting with a major acceleration of investment – both capital and revenue – in 2000.

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.

Additional funding amounting to £10.5 million in 2000, with a full year cost of £11.870 million in 2001, has been provided to the Eastern Health Board region specifically for the provision of new residential, respite and day services, 56 new respite places, 265 new residential and 280 new day places are to be provided from this funding. Discussions are now taking place with the various service providers in relation to the precise details regarding the location of the new services. I understand from the board however that the development of services on the northside of Dublin has been prioritised by both the board and the other service providers.

In addition to the funding outlined above, a further £0.700 million increasing to £0.800 million in 2001, has also been allocated to the board for the ongoing development of health related services to children with autism and the provision of other specialist services.