Vol. 514 No. 6
198 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the number of persons with disabilities who are not able to get personal assistants; the moneys, if any, made available for this service in 2000 through the health boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4961/00]
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 £66.985 million for the maintenance and development of services in the sector, including capital developments. This year £7 million development funding has been allocated for services for people with physical and sensory disabilities, rising to £14 million in the year 2001. This funding will be primarily targeted at the provision of additional day care places and home support services. To this end, £3 million, rising to £6 million in the year 2001, has been targeted at home support services, which includes personal assistance services.
