Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 2

Written Answers. - Residential Care.

Denis Naughten

Question:

305 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the average financial cost for the provision of a residential bed for an individual with an intellectual disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22229/00]

Denis Naughten

Question:

306 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the average financial cost for the provision of a respite bed for an individual with an intellectual disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22230/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 305 and 306 together.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the cost of providing residential or respite care will vary from case to case, depending on the individual needs of the persons availing of the service. My Department reviews the average cost of providing these services on an annual basis, using the costs associated with the previous year's actual developments as a guide. In 2000, the average cost for both residential and respite places was £27,000 per place. My Department is currently reviewing the average costs which would be associated with any proposed developments in 2001 as part of the estimate and budgetary process which is currently under way. One of the issues which will be considered is the fact that because a respite service may have to cater for a wide variety of clients with different levels of dependency, there may be additional costs associated with the provision of these services.