As the Deputy is aware, substantial additional funding has been made available in recent years for the development of services to persons with a mental handicap. Additional funding of £56.8 million was invested in the services in the period 1990-96 which was enabled health boards and the voluntary mental handicap agencies to put in place over 1,000 additional residential-respite places and 2,300 day care places. The estimated total revenue expenditure on services for persons with a mental handicap increased from £162 million in 1990 to £250 million in 1995. Details of the total expenditure for 1996 are not yet available.
The National Intellectual Disability Database is now providing my Department, the health boards and voluntary mental handicap agencies with information on both the current and future needs of persons with a mental handicap over a five year period. I hope to continue the development of further services for persons with a mental handicap based on the needs identified by the database. My priority is to ensure that provisions can be made to meet the needs of those who are currently without a service.
In the period 1993-96 additional funding of £10.55 million was made available to develop services for people with physical and sensory disabilities. I am satisfied that this additional annual funding has made a significant impact on the number of persons with a mental handicap or physical-sensory disability awaiting services. However, I am aware that more needs to be done. The Government is committed under both the health strategy document Shaping a Healthier Future and A Government of Renewal to the continued development of services as resources become available.
I am not yet in a position to give the Deputy any information in relation to the level of additional funding for 1997.
