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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Feb 2003

Vol. 560 No. 3

Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.

Joe Costello

Question:

332 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the concerns referred to in correspondence (details supplied). [2567/03]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

339 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has plans to address urgently the provision of residential places for the 344 people with intellectual disability on the waiting list of St. Michael's House, Ballymun Road, Ballymun, Dublin 9; and if moneys needed for the maintenance of current services and the development of new services for clients of St. Michael's House will be provided. [2662/03]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 332 and 339 together.

I am aware of the concerns expressed by service providers such as St. Michael's House and families regarding the provision of services to persons with an intellectual disability and those with autism.
Over the past two years an additional 90 day places, 83 residential places and 14 residential respite places have been provided by St. Michael's House, funded by the Eastern Regional Health Authority. Additional funding of €13.3 million has been allocated nationally 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, more than 900 new residential, 380 new respite and approximately 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. 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 services 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, the Department of Health and Children will work closely with the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards in relation to the service provision this year.
Question No. 333 answered with Question No. 296.
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