Joe Higgins
Question:296 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will allocate emergency funding in 2003 for new developments in residential respite and day care services for people with learning disabilities. [2531/03]
Vol. 560 No. 3
296 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will allocate emergency funding in 2003 for new developments in residential respite and day care services for people with learning disabilities. [2531/03]
299 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals he has regarding the concerns of parents and families of children and adults with intellectual disabilities with regard to budget 2003 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2278/03]
320 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the funding which will be provided in 2003 for the development of new services to deal with children and adults with intellectual disabilities. [2496/03]
322 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will invest an extra ?20 million to assist the emergency waiting lists for people with intellectual disabilities. [2524/03]
333 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make adequate funding available for intellectual disability services; if new service developments will be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2568/03]
340 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the demands for action of the National Parents and Siblings Alliance in relation to the 1,711 citizens with intellectual disability who require a full-time residential service, 861 similar citizens who require a day service, 1,014 people who require a respite service and more than 400 people with an intellectual disability who are living in unsuitable conditions in psychiatric hospitals. [2663/03]
341 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the demands for action of NAMHI, the national representative body for citizens with intellectual disability and their families in relation to the 1,711 citizens with intellectual disability who require a full-time residential service, 861 similar citizens who require a day service, 1,014 people who require a respite service and more than 400 people with an intellectual disability who are living in unsuitable conditions in psychiatric hospitals. [2664/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 296, 299, 320, 322, 333, 340 and 341 together.
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 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 this and the previous 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.
There has also been further significant progress in relation to the transfer to more appropriate accommodation of persons currently accommodated in psychiatric hospitals and other inappropriate placements. The number of persons accommodated in psychiatric hospitals in October 2002 was 452, down from 571 in 2001 and 970 in 1996. Planning approval has been granted in respect of the new residential and day services to be built on the St. Ita's campus for residents of the St. Joseph's intellectual disability services, with building work due to commence this year. Approval has also been given to commence the planning and design work in relation to a residential and day service complex for a further 30 persons in Lusk.
There is specific mention of this programme in the health strategy with a stated objective to complete the overall transfer of persons with an intellectual disability from psychiatric hospitals in all health board regions as soon as possible. The Department will be working with the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards to achieve this objective.