Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 6

Written Answers. - Mental Handicap Services.

Michael Ring

Question:

227 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 517 of 3 October 2000, the current position on providing a new day resource centre, social housing and respite and enterprise units at a site in Belmullet, County Mayo, secured by the Irish Wheelchair Association; the position this project has held on the priority list of the Western Health Board in each of the years from 1995 to 1999 and to date in 2000; if the necessary funding will be sanctioned to get this project up and running; and if he will make a full statement on this matter. [23596/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

As I explained to the Deputy in my reply to Par liamentary Question No. 517 of 3 October 2000, the provision of services to people with physical and sensory disabilities is the responsibility of the health boards in the first instance while priorities for the allocation of funding available for the development of services in each region are decided by each health board in consultation with its regional co-ordinating committee for physical and sensory disability services.

The Deputy's original question was referred to the chief executive officer of the Western Health Board on the 27 September 2000 and I understand that a reply from the health board was sent to him recently.