Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.
Jack Wall
Question:
701
Mr. Wall
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the funding which has been allocated for the intellectual disability sector in the 2003 budget; the new services which are planned for the intellectual disability sector for 2003; the services available for persons with intellectual disability; the number of respite places available to such persons; his plans to increase the number of respite places; the funding being made available for training and day services for children in this sector; his plans to increase these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1671/03]
David Stanton
Question:
740
Mr. Stanton
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of parents of families with children and adults with intellectual disability concerning the non-allocation of funding for a new service development in 2003 and the lack of funding for emergencies which occur when a parent or carer is no longer able to look after a disabled child in the event of old age or death of the parent or carer and the lack of funding for training/day services for children with an intellectual disability leaving school in 2003; the way in which he intends to address this situation; the funding he intends to make available; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2099/03]
John Gormley
Question:
749
Mr. Gormley
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, due to the Government's decision not to allocate funding for a new service developments for people with intellectual disabilities in the European Year of People with Disabilities, there will be no funding for emergencies which will inevitably arise when parents or carers can no longer look after their child or in the event of their death; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2114/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 701, 740 and 749 together.
I am aware of the concerns regarding the pro vision 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 further enhance the health related support services to children with an intellectual disability or autism. This funding is in addition to the very 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 the Government between 2000 and 2002 was used to put in place, in addition to a range of other services, over 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 school going age with autism.
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.
This funding is being applied largely to maintaining existing levels of service across all service programmes including services for people with an intellectual disability. While it is regrettable that the level of investment in these services achieved in recent years could not be maintained in 2003, my Department will work closely with the health boards and other service providers in relation to service provision this year.
In relation to the number of respite places available; between 70 and 75 new places were put in place during 2002. My Department has asked the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority for information in relation to the overall number of respite places available. This information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.
Jack Wall
Question:
702
Mr. Wall
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
when his Department proposes to publish the annual intellectual disability database report for 2001 and 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1672/03]
The 2001 report from the National Intellectual Disability Database will be published before the end of March. The 2002 report will be available by early summer.
