Vol. 560 No. 1
709 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if capital funding has been allocated to the Irish Wheelchair Association to provide respite care units on a site secured by the organisation in Belmullet, County Mayo, for 2003; and if so, the amount of funding which has been granted; if no funding has been granted, when capital funding will be made available for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1780/03]
The development of health related support services to people with physical and sensory disabilities is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards in the first instance. Priorities for the allocation of funding available for the development of such services are decided by the health boards in consultation with boards' regional co-ordinating committees for physical and sensory disability services. Voluntary sector service providers and consumers are represented on the co-ordinating committees. The Deputy's question has been referred to the chief executive officer of the Western Health Board with a request that she examine the matter and reply directly to the Deputy, as a matter of urgency.
Questions Nos. 710 to 713, inclusive, answered with Question No. 595.
