Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 16 Dec 1993

Vol. 437 No. 4

Written Answers. - Day Centre Places.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

70 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the large number of young persons in Dublin's northside who have completed education in special schools but who cannot get placement in a day centre; the length of time a person aged 18 will have to wait to get suitable placement at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

I am aware of the particular problems being experienced by young people and in particular by young people with mental handicap who have completed their education in special schools and who are experiencing difficulty in obtaining placements in appropriate day services.

As the Deputy is aware, however, additional funding amounting to £12.5 million is being made available in 1994 to continue the development of services for people with mental handicap. This is in addition to the funding of £14.5 million which was made available in 1992 and 1993. This funding enabled an additional 617 day places to be provided in a broad range of community based day services.

Among the additional services to be provided in 1994 will be over 500 day places which will once again be spread over a wide variety of community based services.

The precise services to be provided in each region will be decided in consultation with the regional mental handicap co-ordinating committees who will identify the priorities within their regions. Funding of approximately £26 million per annum will continue to be provided over the next six years from the EC Structural Funds for the training of people with disabilities for employment. Many young people with disabilities avail of these training programmes. In addition, a major capital programme to provide additional training centres for people with disabilities will commence in 1994. The programme will cost £36 million and will be spread over six years. Up to £4 million will be spent on the programme in 1994.

Additional funding of £3 million is being provided in 1994 for further developments in services for people with physical disabilities and in improved psychiatric services based on the recommendations in "Planning for the Future".