Vol. 471 No. 1
124 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health whether he intends to retain the independent living fund to enable persons with significant disabilities to receive a personal assistant from the in-care training programme run by the Centre for Independent Living. [20272/96]
Limerick East): The personal assistant scheme currently funded by my Department is for people who participated in the Centre for Independent Living horizon pilot project, INCARE. This two year project ended in December 1994 and I agreed to fund the continuation of this service to the existing participants pending an examination of the personal assistance services.
This issue is being addressed by the review group on services for people with physical and sensory disabilities whose report is expected very shortly at which time I will make a decision about the personal assistant scheme as part of my overall decision on the appropriate development of support services for people with disabilities. In the meantime, I intend to continue the current level of funding for the existing personal assistance service.
