Vol. 472 No. 6
68 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health, in view of the increasing evidence of post polio syndrome, if he will consider new initiatives to ensure that the medical, occupational therapy and financial needs of this group can be supported through some initiative in the health service. [23909/96]
Limerick East): I am aware of the condition post polio syndrome and of the effects it has on people with the syndrome. Sufferers are entitled to apply for assistance under a wide range of schemes which are available to all people with disabilities, irrespective of their particular condition. These include medical cards, the drug cost subsidisation scheme, drugs refunds scheme, the mobility allowance, and the disability allowance, which has replaced the disabled person's maintanance allowance, and is now administered by the Department of Social Welfare.
As the Deputy may know, the recently published report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities recognised the additional costs of disability and recommended the introduction of a cost of disability allowance to compensate people with disabilities for these additional costs. The report's recommendations will be considered by an interdepartmental committee which will report to Government on its implementation.
In addition, the review group on services for people with physical and sensory disabilities is currently finalising its report on the development of health and personal support services for people with disabilities, including people with post polio syndrome. It is expected that the report's recommendations will assist in the further development of services for people with disabilities which have seen significant developments and improvements in the last few years.
