Vol. 576 No. 5
323 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will support the efforts of the campaign for Irish Disabled People's Rights that includes two demands (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29652/03]
At present a working group established by the Minister is examining the provision of home support and personal assistants for people with disabilities. The working group is comprised of representatives of the Department, service providers and service users.
The group intends to produce a draft set of standard policies and procedures covering various aspects of personal assistance and home support services for consideration by the health boards early in 2004. It will consider the issue of direct provision of personal assistance services.
A sum of €3 million is being made available in the 2004 budget for services for people with physical or sensory disabilities to meet priority service pressures as identified by the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards in consultation with other relevant agencies. These service pressures include respite, home supports and personal assistants, services for people with significant disabilities, support services for children with disabilities, and the provision of aids and appliances.
My Department has been and continues to work with the health boards, people with disabilities and their families on the development of a range of support services. The aim is to enable an individual with a disability to live as independently as possible within their communities for as long as possible. It is also our aim is to provide residential services that maintain the independence of the individual to the greatest extent possible.
