Vol. 568 No. 1
493 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children his proposals regarding the concerns of the National Council for the Blind of Ireland regarding the underfunding of physical and sensory disability agencies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15239/03]
504 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the significant core deficits being experienced by the NCBI and the chronic staffing problems being experienced by members of the Not for Profit Business Association; and if he will address these matters. [15311/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 493 and 504 together.
Recently my Department advised the NPBA of an additional allocation of €5.85 million to relieve the underfunding situation of its member organisations, including the NCBI.
Further claims amounting to over €5 million have been made by the association. My Department is considering them in consultation with the ERHA, the health boards and the association, 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. This is reflected in the Estimates and budget adopted by Government for 2003. Within this overall framework two thirds of the additional funding available for non capital investment in services has been allocated to the health services.
The funding is being applied largely to maintaining existing levels of service across all service programmes, including services for people with disabilities. 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.
494 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health and Children when he intends to meet the funding commitments made to physical and sensory disability agencies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15240/03]
496 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will honour his commitment of 2002 that ?11 million will be given to the NPBA towards the core deficits which he promised to eliminate in 2003; and when he will honour the commitment to resolve staffing shortfalls between 2003 and 2004 (details supplied). [15266/03]
509 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children the Government's plans to honour the commitment towards solving the underfunding of the NPBA service providers in 2003, as agreed in writing with the association; and his views on whether the allocation of ?5.9 million is an insufficient allocation to deal with the problem of core deficits of the member organisation. [15316/03]
574 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if he intends to fulfil his commitments to the Not for Profit Business Association to eliminate the core deficits of its member organisations in 2003 and to resolve staffing shortfalls by 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15764/03]
