John Bruton
Question:225 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the specialist facilities for children suffering from the Johansen/Blizzard Syndrome here. [29909/01]
Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.
The provision of health related services to people with developmental delays, including Johansen/Blizzard Syndrome, is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards in the first instance. Health boards provide a range of support services in order to enable people with physical and sensory disabilities to live as independently as possible within the community. A comprehensive community support service includes residential respite care, day care, home support services, including personal assistance services, nursing, therapy, counselling and family support, aids and appliances. Specialised residential care services are also required.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, the national physical and sensory disability database development committee, on which the Department, the health research board, the health boards and the voluntary sector are represented, has reported its recommendations on the establishment of a database of service requirements in the sector. When complete, the database will provide information at a national level regarding the levels of investment which will be required and at a local level regarding the specific health service requirements of people with physical and sensory disabilities.