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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 2

Written Answers. - Health Services.

John V. Farrelly

Question:

338 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Health and Children the amounts of money allocated to the medical and sensory disability sector in the recent budget; the number of people being served in this category; his plans to increase the allocation for this sector of the community for 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8144/02]

Paul McGrath

Question:

359 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department identified a need for annual investment of almost ?40 million to provide services for the physical and sensory disability sector; if the allocation for 2002 is under ?7 million; and the reason for this allocation in view of the fact it falls far short of the amount required. [8264/02]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 338 and 359 together.

I assume Deputy Farrelly is referring to the physical and sensory disability sector in this instance. In response to the Deputies' questions, there are a number of issues which I am glad to have the opportunity to clarify.

This year, additional funding of just under €40 million has been provided for the maintenance and development of health related support services for people with physical and sensory disabilities. This funding has been directed at a number of areas including €12.7 million for the full year cost of 2001 developments; €7.56 million for the development of home supports, therapies and other priorities as identified at local level; €6.411 million towards the under-resourcing of voluntary sector service providers; and €9.3 million for capital projects under the national development plan.

This level of investment brings the total additional funding which has been provided by this Government between 1997 and 2002 for the physical and sensory disability sector to just over €175 million.

Each year, my Department endeavours to acquire the required level of funding for the health services by means of the Estimates process. At present, in terms of the physical sensory disability sector, it is difficult to estimate the precise levels of need. This is due to a lack of information on the numbers of people who are currently requiring health and personal social services. The national physical and sensory disability database, which I recently launched, will provide this information and develop an accurate picture of the levels and types of services which are required. This information will assist in the accurate assessment of the levels of funding required and will facilitate effective targeting of resources at the areas which require development.

It is also acknowledged that the under-resourcing of the voluntary sector service providers, both in terms of staffing and core funding, is a significant issue in the sector and is one which is of great concern to the voluntary organisations, the health boards and to my Department. Despite significant resources being allocated to the voluntary organisations concerned, approximately £20 million between 1997 and 2001, this issue remains unresolved. I will be meeting with the organisations concerned in the coming days to discuss the allocation of the above mentioned €6.411 million and I propose that a review of the specialised health and personal social services being provided by these organisations and the manner in which they are funded, take place in the near future to ensure that this issue is resolved. I am anxious that an appropriate level of baseline funding be established for each of the agencies concerned.
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