Vol. 481 No. 1
167 Mr. Roche asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will have arrangements made to provide respite care facilities in County Wicklow as a matter of urgency, recognising that the non-availabililty of such facilities is causing grave difficulties for families with handicapped, infirm or elderly members who are in care in their homes. [15577/97]
The provision of services, including respite care facilities, is a matter for the relevant health board. The Eastern Health Board currently provide 30 respite places in the Wicklow area for the elderly and persons with physical and mental handicap.
In 1997 approximately £3 million additional funding was provided to the Eastern Health Board to increase the level of day and residential-respite places for people with a mental handicap in the Eastern Health Board area.
Over the past few years, additional funding has also been made available to the Eastern Health oard to strengthen home and community support, including respite care services, for older people and their families.
The report of Review Group on Health and Personal Social Services for People with Physical and Sensory Disabilities, Towards an Independent Future, which was published in December 1996 sets out the requirements for the development of this service. The process of implementing this report is currently under way and, as a first step, the boards are in the process of putting in place co-ordinating committees to examine and prioritise the development of services at local level.
