Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 29 Jan 1998

Vol. 486 No. 2

Written Answers. - Mental Handicap Services.

Proinsias De Rossa

Ceist:

95 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the disappointment expressed by the National Association for the Mentally Handicapped of Ireland regarding the allocation of funding for this sector in the budget; if he will allocate further funds, particularly to provide additional residential day or respite services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2137/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I met representatives of the National Association for the Mentally Handicapped of Ireland on 21 October 1997 to discuss the association's pre-budget submission on service requirements for 1998. I outlined to the association at that time my plans for 1998, which were subsequently delivered in the budget and Estimates for 1998, and in my Department's capital programme for 1998 to 2001.

I was pleased to be able to allocate additional funding of £16 million in 1998 for services for persons with a mental handicap. This includes £7 million which was included in the budget for the development of new residential, respite and day care places and £3.75 million in the Estimates to meet identified needs in existing services.

The capacity of existing facilities to absorb the additional places in the coming years and to provide the specialist services for disturbed clients is now limited. A programme of building is essential to deliver the volume and quality of services required. Capital funding of £5.25 million is also being provided in 1998 to begin the implementation of a £30 million capital programme which I have put in place to run over four years in tandem with the service developments identified in An Assessment of Need for Services for Persons with a Mental Handicap 1997-2001.

I am satisfied that this funding will make a significant impact to reduce the number of people with a mental handicap who are awaiting day, residential or respite services. The Government is committed to the ongoing development of these services as outlined in An Action Programme for the Millennium.