I propose to take Questions Nos. 396, 397, 401 and 452 together. The report of the Review Group on Health and Personal Social Services for People with Physical and Sensory Disabilities, Towards an Independent Future, published in December 1996, sets out the requirements for the development of services, such as respite and residential services, community therapy services, home support services, including personal assistance services and the provision of aids and appliances.
As recommended in the report, regional co-ordinating committees for services to people with physical and sensory disabilities have been put in place in each of the health boards. One of the primary functions of the co-ordinating committees is to advise the chief executive officers of each board on priorities for the allocation of funds available for the development of services in their functional area.
In 1998, funding totalling £8.4 million was provided for the development of services to people with physical and sensory disabilities. Of this funding £2.4 million was allocated for the provision of existing services, £3 million was allocated to the health boards to decide, in consultation with their local co-ordinating committees, on the development of services to people with physical and sensory disabilities in their functional areas and £3 million was allocated for capital projects, including £1 million allocated to the health boards to address their waiting lists for aids and appliances.
Since coming into office in June 1997, this Government has provided funding totalling £18.4 million for health and personal social services to people with physical and sensory disabilities. I am not yet, however in a position to comment on the overall level of funding available in 1999.