Vol. 476 No. 7
120 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the number of people per county who are considered visually impaired; the number of these who are under 16; and the number over 16; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7969/97]
Limerick East): There are no official statistics available for the number of persons with physical or sensory disabilities. However, estimates of the number of blind people are available from figures kept by the National Council for the Blind and these are given in the table hereunder.
The lack of reliable information on the numbers and service needs of people with disabilities was one of the matters which was examined by the Review Group on Health and Personal Social Services for People with Physical and Sensory Disabilities. In its report Towards an Independent Future, published in December last, the group recommended the establishment of a database on the health service needs of persons with physical and sensory disabilities and steps are being taken to implement this recommendation.
Blind in the Republic of Ireland
|
County |
Under 18 |
Over 18 |
Unknown |
Total |
|
Carlow |
9 |
80 |
2 |
91 |
|
Cavan |
7 |
99 |
3 |
109 |
|
Clare |
10 |
85 |
6 |
101 |
|
Cork |
45 |
423 |
92 |
560 |
|
Donegal |
35 |
223 |
21 |
279 |
|
Dublin |
140 |
1,597 |
101 |
1,838 |
|
Galway |
22 |
233 |
24 |
279 |
|
Kerry |
13 |
183 |
6 |
202 |
|
Kildare |
18 |
100 |
3 |
121 |
|
Kilkenny |
12 |
136 |
1 |
149 |
|
Laois |
5 |
105 |
6 |
116 |
|
Leitrim |
7 |
112 |
3 |
122 |
|
Limerick |
29 |
168 |
7 |
204 |
|
Longford |
7 |
55 |
0 |
62 |
|
Louth |
12 |
121 |
6 |
139 |
|
Mayo |
16 |
139 |
6 |
161 |
|
Meath |
18 |
146 |
6 |
170 |
|
Monaghan |
6 |
53 |
6 |
65 |
|
Offaly |
12 |
99 |
7 |
118 |
|
Roscommon |
10 |
121 |
6 |
137 |
|
Sligo |
10 |
200 |
6 |
216 |
|
Tipperary |
23 |
179 |
6 |
208 |
|
Waterford |
9 |
128 |
19 |
156 |
|
Westmeath |
16 |
118 |
2 |
136 |
|
Wexford |
20 |
185 |
9 |
214 |
|
Wicklow |
15 |
139 |
9 |
163 |
|
Unknown |
0 |
13 |
1 |
14 |
|
Total |
526 |
5,240 |
364 |
6,130 |
121 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the support, if any, which is available for people between 16 and 18 years with a visual impairment; and the qualifying criteria which are in place for such support. [7970/97]
Limerick East): The principal financial support available to people with a visual impairment between 16 and 18 years is disability allowance which is administered by the Minister for Social Welfare.
Other financial supports available to people with disabilities aged between 16 and 18 years, including people with a visual impairment, which are the responsibility of my Department, and which are administered by health boards, include the following allowances. The disabled person's rehabilitation allowance is payable to persons who require full time rehabilitation training who are living away from home. The qualifying criteria are identical to those in place for disability allowance. The allowance is currently £14.20 per week. The mobility allowance is paid to people with severe difficulties who are unable to walk or use public transport. The purpose of the allowance is to finance the occassional taxi journey for such persons and is currently paid at a maximum monthly rate of £39.10. Applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 66 years and be living at home or maintained by a health board in longstay residential care. The allowance is subject to a means test.
