I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 157 together.
The assessment of entitlement to a grant under the disabled person's grant scheme in any individual case is a matter for the relevant health board. Accordingly, the Deputy's questions have been referred to the chief executive officer, South Eastern Health Board with a request that he examine the queries and reply directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
Since this Government took office, a total of just over £67 million additional funding has been allocated for the maintenance and development of services to people with physical and sensory disabilities. In the budget an additional £7 million this year, rising to £14 million in the year 2001, was announced for the development of services in this sector. An additional 73 paramedical staff, including 34.5 occupational therapists, have been provided between 1997 and 1999. This underlines the Government's commitment to the provision of services and supports to enable people with physical and sensory disabilities to maximise their potential and to live as independently as possible within the community.
