Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Feb 2002

Vol. 548 No. 5

Written Answers. - Training Programmes.

Liz McManus

Question:

235 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some trainees participating in approved training programmes are no longer receiving the new bonus payment that his Department introduced in September 2001; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the South-Western Area Health Board administering the scheme for Sunbeam House Services in Bray, County Wicklow is not providing funding for all of the trainees already paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5329/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

On 11 July, 2001, my Department notified health boards of the introduction of a weekly training bonus, backdated to 1 April 2001, for people with disabilities on approved rehabilitative training programmes. The additional funding allocation to cover the cost of this initiative was also approved. Each health board notified the service providers of rehabilitative training of this development and would have allocated additional funds to them for this purpose. Any instances of non-compliance drawn to the attention of my Department were referred to the relevant health board for attention. My Department has asked each health board to verify, and confirm to the Department, that all authorised trainees on approved rehabilitative training programmes are in receipt of the training bonus. With regard to Sunbeam House, the Department has been informed by the East Coast Area Health Board that all payments to Sunbeam House in regard to authorised trainees on approved rehabilitative training programmes are up to date.