Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 1

Written Answers - Departmental Funding.

Nora Owen

Ceist:

179 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will provide extra finances to the Irish Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, Dublin Branch, in view of the fact that the branch finances have reached a critical stage. [6028/98]

Liam Lawlor

Ceist:

183 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Health and Children the emergency funding, if any, being considered for the Dublin branch of the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association, which is in a critical financial position (details supplied). [5485/98]

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

184 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health and Children if once off grant assistance can be made available to the Dublin branch of the Irish Association for Spina Bifida in view of their special circumstances (details supplied). [5487/98]

Seán Barrett

Ceist:

185 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will have arrangements made for a once off injection of funds and an increase in the amount of annual subvention to the Dublin branch of the Irish Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, in order to prevent a termination in many of the services being provided. [5501/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 179, 183, 184, 185 and 197 together.

Organisations such as the Dublin branch of the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association are funded by the health boards under section 65 of the Health Act, 1953, in respect of services provided in the functional area of the relevant board. I note that the branch is already in touch with the Eastern Health Board about the matter and that a meeting was held with senior health board officers yesterday. I understand that the parties have agreed to carry out a complete review of the role, work and financing of the organisation with a view to agreeing its core service activity and associated funding to ensure its future viability.

An additional £3 million revenue has been provided this year for the development of services for people with physical and sensory disabilities, of which £1.080 million has been allocated to the Eastern Health Board. Priorities for the allocation of this funding will be decided by the board in consultation with the local co-ordinating committee on physical and sensory disability services. The voluntary sector organisations are represented on this committee and the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association should ensure that it has its funding needs assessed in this process. The association also received £78,000 late last year for aids and appliances. I understand that the association will be making a national lottery application in relation to a summer project which they are planning. I will give this application sympathetic consideration.