John Gormley
Question:389 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the independent living fund which could be used by disabled people to employ personal assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1149/00]
Vol. 513 No. 1
389 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the independent living fund which could be used by disabled people to employ personal assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1149/00]
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.