Services for People with Disabilities.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 May 2004

Tuesday, 4 May 2004

Questions (174)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

196 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children the reasons demands made by the Ballinasloe advocates concerning the availability of disability services in the Ballinasloe area have not been met; the reason a high support activation centre has not been built in Ballinasloe as a follow on from the TOPE scheme; the further reason the Western Health Board has informed this group that the project cannot be built due to lack of funding despite the fact that the Western Health Board has a budget surplus of €15 million for the years 2002 and 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12501/04]

Written answers

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

Responsibility for the provision of funding for services to persons with intellectual disability and those with autism, including the provision of a high support activation centre in the Ballinasloe area lies, in the first instance, with the Western Health board. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply directly to him.