Bernard Allen
Ceist:216 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, he has to implement the Helios Action Programme; and the amount Ireland will receive from the 37 million ECUs under the Helios Two programme.
Written Answers. - Helios Programme.
The Second Helios Programme, for the four year period 1 January 1993 to 31 December 1996, has only recently been approved by the Council of Ministers.
The objectives of the Programme are to promote co-operation and improve exchange of information at Community level based on the best innovative and effective experience in the member states, in the areas of functional rehabilitation, integration into education, vocational training, occupational rehabilitation, economic and social integration and independent living for disabled people.
For the purposes of achieving these objectives and, in particular, to facilitate exchange of information and experience, the Commission will shortly be inviting member states to submit projects/ activities for inclusion in European Networks in the areas referred to. In the selection of Irish participants for these activities, my Department will consult with the statutory and voluntary bodies concerned with services for people with disabilities.
I should emphasis, however, that the Programme will only fund the exchange of information between member states through support for conferences, seminars, study visits etc. It will not support the actual development of projects or services for people with disabilities.
There are no specific allocations to member states; the amount of assistance received will be on the basis of recoupment of exchange expenses incurred by the participating projects/activities in the member states during the course of the Programme.