Vol. 550 No. 2
314 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children his policy for the provision of grant aid to allow persons who require wheelchairs and prosthetic aids to purchase them on a continuing basis as and when they need them; if grant assistance is available; the terms under which grant assistance is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7863/02]
Funding totalling just under €30 million has been provided between 1997 and 2001 specifically for aids and appliances for people with physical and sensory disabilities. The provision of health related services, including aids and appliances to people with physical and sensory disabilities is a matter for the relevant health board. Funding is provided to the health boards to address the waiting lists on a priority basis. The first priority is individual needs. Other needs such as centre-based needs may be addressed as resources permit. Waiting lists are approved by the regional co-ordinating committees for physical and sensory disabilities or by a subcommittee in each health board.
