Vol. 567 No. 2
204 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the major problems being encountered by the Not For Profit business association (details supplied); the plans his Department has to address the problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14083/03]
205 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Health and Children the agreement which has been reached between him and the Not For Profit business association which comprises the nine leading service providers in the physical and sensory disability sector; the progress being made to resolve the difficulties and implement the agreement that was made in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14125/03]
208 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Health and Children if the commitments he made to eliminate the core deficits of the Not For Profit business association will be fulfilled in view of the fact that while core deficits of ?11 million were validated, only ?5.9 million has been allocated. [13874/03]
210 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will honour a written agreement to sort out under funding for members of the Not For Profit business association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13876/03]
216 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when funding will be provided in the physical and sensory disability sector to address the core deficits of ?11 million and the shortage of 929 posts which have been identified. [13961/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 204, 205, 208, 210 and 216 together.
In recent days, my Department has advised the Not for Profit business organisation of an additional allocation of €5.85 million to relieve the under funding of its member organisations.
Further claims amounting to more than €5 million have been made by the association and these claims are being considered by my Department, in consultation with the Eastern Regional Health Authority, the health boards and the association itself, having regard to the availability of funds. Additional claims for extra staff numbers will also be considered in the light of available resources.
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 disabilities. 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 on service provision this year.
