Vol. 568 No. 1
568 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will demand a five cent increase in the price of the pint to raise the ?41 million necessary to end the crisis waiting lists for adults with intellectual disabilities. [15637/03]
Issues related to revenue generating measures such as the proposal outlined by the Deputy are a matter in the first instance for my colleague, the Minister for Finance.
The overall investment in recent years by this and the previous Government in services to persons with disabilities, which amounts to €555 million, is evidence of the priority which has been given to these services. Around €340 million of the €555 million has been invested in services to persons with an intellectual disability and those with autism.
Despite this very significant investment, demographic factors are contributing to growing waiting lists for residential services in particular even though the numbers 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. In addition, people with an intellectual disability are living longer than previously adding to the need for services compared to previous generations. This has also been the international experience in service provision to this population.
The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot at this stage give specific commitments in relation to levels of expenditure in 2004 for any particular service area as these matters are part of the ongoing discussions on the Estimates and budget for that year between my Department and the Department of Finance.
