Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Jul 2003

Vol. 570 No. 4

Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.

David Stanton

Question:

285 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Irish Wheelchair Association is to close its day centres in Cork, Bandon, Limerick, Ennis, Offaly, Laois, Mullingar, Longford, Athlone and Roscrea as a result of his decision not to mainstream the jobs currently being filled by community employment workers; if he will now proceed to make the jobs permanent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19462/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Sufficient funding is not available in 2003 for the mainstreaming of community employment scheme participants engaged in the delivery of health and personal social services. I am aware that the three year cap on participation in CE schemes is affecting the delivery of health and social services by some sponsor agencies and, in the absence of the additional funding required this year for mainstreaming, my Department has been in contact with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with a view to examining the possibility of lifting the three year cap on participants involved in health-related projects.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

286 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children the total amount of funding allocated by his Department for the provision of payments, facilities or services for those with physical or intellectual disabilities in 2003, giving the heading or sub-heading in the estimates under which the allocation has been made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19523/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. T. O'Malley)

A total of €37.581 million additional revenue funding has been made available to disability services in 2003. Funding for services is allocated from sub-heads B1(i) and B2 as set out in the 2003 Estimate Volume.