Liam Aylward
Ceist:187 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department will approve grant aid to an organisation (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [6297/98]
Written Answers - Grant Aid.
The funding of voluntary agencies, such as the Irish Wheelchair Association, in respect of services provided to people with physical and sensory disability, including the provision of aids, appliances and equipment, is a matter for the relevant health board. Accordingly, the North Kilkenny Branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association should approach the South-Eastern Health Board in relation to the matter of the provision of a minibus.
In 1997 grants totalling £4.325 million were given to a number of voluntary agencies working with people with a physical or sensory disability for the provision of aids, appliances and other equipment, including adapted buses. The Irish Wheelchair Association received a grant of £475,000 for dispersal through its branches throughout the country.