Gerard Murphy
Question:320 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will meet a delegation from Charleville and District Handicapped Association to discuss its projected deficit of €818,000 for 2004. [10775/04]
View answerTuesday, 6 April 2004
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My Department has, since 1997, allocated significant levels of funding across the disability sector which has resulted in very significant and unprecedented developments in the quality and quantity of the health related services which are being provided to people with disabilities. A total of €643 million has been invested in these services, of which €388 million was provided for services to persons with intellectual disability and those with autism. The overall total includes an additional €25 million in current expenditure which was made available by the Minister for Finance in the 2004 budget for services for people with disabilities.
With regard to Charleville and District Handicapped Association, in December 2003 my Department allocated to the association, through the Mid-Western Health Board, a capital grant of €500,000. Funding and service related issues, including service developments, are a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant health board. In this instance, the Southern Health Board would be the primary funding agency. The issue raised by the Deputy and other related matters will be included in the discussions regarding services to persons with intellectual disability or autism which take place on a regular basis between my Department and the Southern Health Board.