Fergus O'Dowd
Question:218 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children when the Parker bath donated by a group (details supplied) will be installed in St. Ita's Hospital, Portrane; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18946/03]
Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.
Responsibility for the provisions of services to persons with an intellectual disability or autism in the Dublin region lies with Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive of the authority to investigate the matter and reply directly to the Deputy.
Richard Bruton
Question:219 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received reports from health boards regarding the difficulty in placing young people with a disability emerging from training programmes into progression options, due to the lack of section 65 funding; if the Government is developing a strategy to improve the progression of options for young people with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18947/03]
My Department has received no reports from the health boards in the matter raised by him.
Regarding the development of a strategy for the enhancement of options for people with disabilities, on completion of rehabilitative training programmes, I can advise the Deputy that the development of a code of practice for sheltered occupational services is nearing completion, being in the final stages of the consultation process. In addition my Department is reviewing the funding of sheltered workshops and this process is also at an advanced stage. These two initiatives, arising from commitments under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, will enable me in conjunction with my colleagues the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, to make further progress in the provision of training, work and employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The Deputy should note that, since June 2000, in keeping with the principles of mainstreaming of services, responsibility for the provision of employment supports for people with disabilities rests with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.