Vol. 555 No. 5
276 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the failure of the South Eastern Health Board to develop locally accessible community services which is placing an unfair burden on relatives and carers; the plans being put in place in the south east to address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18850/02]
The provision of community based health services for people with disabilities is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards in the first instance. Accordingly, the Deputy's question has been referred to the chief executive officer of the South Eastern Health Board with a request that he examine the matter and reply directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
With specific regard to the maintenance and development of a range of health related services for people with disabilities, I have allocated €31.833 million to the South Eastern Health Board since 2000. Priorities for the allocation of funding available for the development of health related services in the sector are decided by the health boards in consultation with the regional co-ordinating/consultative and development committees for physical, sensory and intellectual disability services. Voluntary sector services providers and people with disabilities or their families are represented on the co-ordinating committees.
