Vol. 513 No. 1
385 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received representations from the Irish Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus in respect of funding for the expansion of the summer independence training and respite care programme; if his Department will supply the deficit funding of £32,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1145/00]
The funding of voluntary sector service organisations, such as the Irish Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, providing services to people with physical and sensory disabilities is a matter for the health boards. I understand that the organisation is in contact with the relevant boards about funding for the services it provides to its members. I have made £7 million – £14 million full cost on 2001 – available to the health boards this year for the development of services to people with physical and sensory disabilities. The boards will decide on priorities for the allocation of this funding in consultation with the regional co-ordinating committees for physical and sensory disability services. Voluntary sector service providers and people with disabilities themselves are represented on the co-ordinating committees.
The financial deficit accumulated by the Irish Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus is a problem experienced by a number of organisations in the sector. I propose to take steps to establish the precise sum required to discharge these deficits and to seek funding to enable me to do so. At this stage I have no guarantee that such funding will be available.
