Vol. 560 No. 1
589 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received a copy of the assessment of staffing levels at St. Mary's, Drumcar, which indicates a serious shortfall in staffing to deliver a quality service to clients; and if officials of his Department will meet with the North Eastern Health Board and the management of St. Mary's to develop a service agreement which would facilitate better staffing levels. [27032/02]
637 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the report of the staffing and service needs of a facility (details supplied), which has been submitted to the health board which indicates a need to upgrade services beyond the existing staffing levels; if he will meet with a joint deputation of the health board and the institution to discuss the need for additional targeted resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1205/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 589 and 637 together.
I have received a copy of the assessment of staffing levels at St. Mary's, Drumcar, which is being considered by the North Eastern Health Board. A meeting between my Department, the board and St. John of God representatives is scheduled for Wednesday, 5 February.
I am aware of the concerns regarding the provision of services to persons with an intellectual disability and those with autism. Additional funding of €13.3 million has been allocated to services for persons with an intellectual disability or autism in 2003 to meet the full year cost of the 2002 developments and to enhance further the health-related support services to children with an intellectual disability or autism. This funding is in addition to the significant revenue investment amounting to €188 million which has been made in these services since 1997 and which is built into the ongoing budget base.
The additional funding provided by this and the previous Government between 2000 and 2002 was used to put in place, in addition to a range of other services, more than 900 new residential, 380 new respite and around 2,000 new day places for people with an intellectual disability and those with autism.
Despite this significant investment, demographic factors are contributing to growing waiting lists for residential services in particular, even though the number of people in receipt of services, including full time residential services, continues to increase. The increased birth rate in the 1960s and 1970s has resulted in large numbers of adults in their late 20s and early 30s requiring full-time residential services. In addition, people with an intellectual disability are living longer than previously adding to the need for services compared to previous generations. This has also been the international experience in service provision to this population.
The overall economic position in 2003 has had implications for all aspects of public investment, and this is reflected in the Estimates and budget adopted by the Government for 2003. Within this overall framework, however, some two-thirds of the additional funding available for non-capital investment in services has been allocated to the health services.
590 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no service that offers support tailored to the needs of persons who are autistic and also suffer from deafness; and if he will consider the establishment of a residential resource with appropriate respite, workshop and therapeutic services which would work through sign language and provide support to this particular client group. [27033/02]
Additional funding of €13.3 million has been allocated to services for persons with an intellectual disability or autism in 2003 to meet the full year cost of the 2002 developments and to enhance further the health-related support services to children with an intellectual disability or autism. This funding is in addition to the significant revenue investment, amounting to €188 million, which has been made in these services since 1997 and which is built into the ongoing budget base.
The additional funding provided by this and the previous Government between 2000 and 2002 was used to put in place, in addition to a range of other services, more than 900 new residential, 380 new respite and around 2,000 new day places for people with an intellectual disability and those with autism.
In particular, €14.6 million has been invested in health-related support services for children with autism or intellectual disability nationally between 1998 and 2002. A further €4 million has been allocated to these services in 2003. This includes diagnostic and assessment services, early intervention, home support and outreach support to children of schoolgoing age.
I am aware that there are persons with autism who also have a second disability such as deafness and who therefore require a specific response if their needs are to be met appropriately. Responsibility for the provision of services to people with an intellectual disability or autism is a matter in the first instance for the relevant health board. Decisions on the precise services to be developed in each region are taken by the health boards, in consultation with the regional consultative and development committees, and in line with the service priorities which have been agreed for that region. This would include services for persons with specific needs such as those outlined by the Deputy.
