Denis Naughten
Question:993 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No 244 of 25 June 2003, if he will outline the current status of discussions with the organisations involved. [20959/03]
Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.
Additional revenue and capital funding of €50 million was made available to services for people with disabilities in July 2003. Additional revenue funding amounting to €20 million is being provided in 2003, with a full year cost in 2004 of €30 million.
Some €15 million is being made available to services to persons with intellectual disability and those with autism to meet costs associated with emergency residential placements during 2003, the provision of day services for young adults who have just left school and some enhancement of the health related support services for children.
Some €5 million is being made available for services for people with physical or sensory disabilities to meet service pressures as identified by the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards in consultation with other relevant agencies.
Capital funding amounting to €30 million €15 million for services to people with intellectual disability or autism and €15 million for services to people with physical or sensory disabilities – is also being allocated to the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards in respect of minor capital works in services for people with disabilities.
This funding will allow the authority and the health boards to address such areas as the backlog of maintenance, refurbishment, re-equipping, replacement of vehicles used within the services or works related to fire precautions and health and safety issues.
The provision of funding for these minor capital works will, when completed, help to upgrade many existing facilities. In the case of services to people with intellectual disability or autism, specific provision is being made in relation to a number of services, including St. Joseph's Services, St. Ita's, Portrane, St. Raphael's, Youghal, Grove House, Cork, St. Senan's, Wexford and St. Brigid's, Ballinasloe.
The provision of the revenue funding, in particular, will provide around 175 emergency places and over 600 day places and will enable the authority and the health boards to address key issues of concern which had been identified by the various representative groups. The allocation of an additional €50 million is further evidence of the Governments commitment to these services and to supporting people with disabilities and their families.