Peter Barry
Ceist:334 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Health if he plans to provide urgent funds to voluntary and statutory organisations providing for the mentally handicapped so that they can continue with their work.
Written Answers. - Mental Handicap Services Allocation.
The allocation for mental handicap services has been protected in real terms since 1986. The 1991 allocation to voluntary agencies funded directly by the Department of Health is £81.6 million, a 6 per cent increase on the level of funding in 1990 which was £77.153 million. Expenditure in 1990 on services for the mentally handicapped provided or funded by health boards amounted to £85 million. This level of expenditure will be maintained this year.
In 1990, £1.4 million was provided from the proceeds of the national lottery for mental handicap projects. It is hoped to maintain this level of expenditure in 1991.
Under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, additional resources will be committed by Government to develop mental handicap services to meet identified needs.