John Ellis
Ceist:47 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to fund the Irish Epilepsy Association in 1997. [24084/96]
Written Answers. - Irish Epilepsy Association Funding.
Mary Wallace
Ceist:65 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding currently being provided by his Department to Brainwave, the Irish Epilepsy Association, and indirectly through the eight health boards; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that one in every 150 children and one in every 200 adults suffer from epilepsy; his view on whether the current level of State funding is adequate in view of the fact that the organisation has a current annual expenditure level of £500,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23867/96]
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 65 together.
As I stated recently in the House, the provision of funding to voluntary organisations, such as Brainwave, is a matter for the health boards. To date this year, health boards have allocated a total of £28,400 to Brainwave. As discussions in relation to overall health expenditure in 1997 are still ongoing, I am not in a position to comment at this stage on any particular area of expenditure. An officer of my Department recently held a meeting with representatives of Brainwave at which the subject of funding and other topics of concern to the association were fully explored. The matters raised were brought to the attention of the chief executive officers of health boards.
In addition, the Deputy should note that as well as availing themselves of services provided in the normal course of health service through the health boards, people with epilepsy are entitled under the long-term illness scheme to obtain without charge the drugs and medicines for the treatment of their condition.
The amount of funding approved by health boards in 1996 for Brainwave is set out in the table below.
|
Health Board |
1996 |
|
£ |
|
|
Eastern |
20,000 |
|
Midland |
*nil to date |
|
Mid-West |
3,500 |
|
North-Eastern |
nil |
|
North-Western |
2,400 |
|
South-Eastern |
nil |
|
Southern |
†nil to date |
|
Western |
2,500 |
|
Total all boards |
28,400 |
* The Midland Health Board is awaiting receipt of an application form it issued to Brainwave in January.
† The Southern Health Board is currently considering an application from Brainwave.