asked the Minister for Health the level of finance provided by the Exchequer on services for the disabled during the years 1984 to 1988 inclusive.
Written Answers. - Services for the Disabled.
86.
Expenditure on services specifically aimed at the disabled in the years 1984 to 1988 was, as set out in the following table:
|
1984 |
1985 |
1986 |
1987 |
1988 |
|
|
£m |
£m |
£m |
£m |
£m |
|
|
Community Welfare Programme (cash payments and allowance to and in respect of disabled persons) |
56.0 |
59.9 |
62.8 |
65.2 |
67.2 |
|
Psychiatric Programme |
138.2 |
146.7 |
160.9 |
158.2 |
153.2 |
|
Programme for the Handicapped |
112.7 |
122.8 |
127.9 |
132.8 |
133.3 |
|
Total |
306.9 |
329.4 |
351.6 |
356.2 |
*353.7 |
*The 1988 figures fall to be increased in respect of phase 1 of the 1987 pay agreement.
In addition to the above, disabled persons would, of course, also avail of the broader services such as General Hospitals and the choice-of-doctor scheme.
87.
asked the Minister for Health the level of funding provided in 1987-88 to health boards to establish the numbers of disabled people with special needs in their area.
No specific funds have been allocated to health boards for this purpose. Health Boards are, however, through their community care personnel, aware of the numbers of disabled people with special needs in their area.
88.
asked the Minister for Health the steps which have been taken to assist employers and disabled persons with modifications to the workplace to help disabled employees in obtaining employment.
The National Rehabilitation Board operate a scheme of workplace adaptation and the provision of modified equipment. This scheme has an annual budget of £20,000 and this is usually sufficient to meet the demand.
89.
asked the Minister for Health the provision he has made in terms of assistance to disabled drivers; the level of funding which he has provided to ensure maximum mobility for disabled drivers; and the proposals, if any, he has for the future.
My Department are responsible for a limited grants scheme for disabled drivers whereby health boards may pay grants up to a maximum of £1,500 for the conversion of an existing motor vehicle or the purchase of an adapted new vehicle for use by a disabled person. The cost of this scheme in 1987 was approximately £50,000.
However, the main source of assistance for disabled drivers is the schemes, operated by the Revenue Commissioners, for the refund of excise duty and value added tax on new cars specially built or adapted for persons who are wholly or almost wholly without the use of their legs. Excise duty on petrol up to 600 gallons per annum is also repayable. In addition such persons are exempt from motor registration fees under a scheme operated by the Department of the Environment.
90.
asked the Minister for Health the levels of Exchequer funding which have been provided for additional residential facilities for the small number of disabled persons in the health board areas; and if it is proposed to provide further funding through the health capital programme.
I presume the Deputy is referring to residential care facilities for the physically disabled. Since the publication of the Green Paper on Services for Disabled People, in 1984, a total of £855,000 has been provided from the Health capital programme for the replacement of 28 beds at the St. Lawrence's Cheshire Home, Cork and the provision of a 14 bed extension to the Barrett Cheshire Home, Dublin.
In addition, I have made available £250,000 for a crisis intervention centre of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Also, new residential accommodation for deaf boys was provided at St. Joseph's, Cabra for £3.3 million together with a multiple-handicap unit for girls in St. Mary's Cabra, at a cost of £1.2 million. Both of these new units were opened this year and additional revenue funding for them has also been provided.
There are plans for the provision of a new 26 bed Cheshire Home in Monkstown, County Dublin. A decision on the level of funds to be made available for this development will be made following the submission of revised costings for the project.