Niall Blaney
Question:180 Mr. Blaney asked the Minister for Health and Children the funding which will be provided in 2003 for developments in the area of intellectual disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9054/03]
Vol. 564 No. 2
180 Mr. Blaney asked the Minister for Health and Children the funding which will be provided in 2003 for developments in the area of intellectual disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9054/03]
181 Mr. Blaney asked the Minister for Health and Children the provisions in place to address emergency admissions to residential care for those with intellectual disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9055/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.
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. In particular, €14.6 million has been invested in health related support services for children with autism or an 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 out-reach support to children of school-going age.