Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 3

Written Answers. - Health Board Services.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

259 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the five year spending plan proposed by his Department's report entitled Health and Personal Social Services for People with Physical and Sensory Disabilities; the revenue funding made available in the past two years; his views on whether there is a very significant shortfall in what was proposed in the report; the proposals, if any, he has to make up this shortfall; if he will renew his commitment to implement the recommendations in full and within the five year timescale proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22379/98]

Conor Lenihan

Ceist:

284 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will increase the funding to personal assistance services for the disabled. [22739/98]

Conor Lenihan

Ceist:

285 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make funding available to implement his Department's report, Towards an Independent Future; and the timescale in this regard. [22740/98]

Conor Lenihan

Ceist:

288 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will give priority funding to day resource centres for people with a physical disability. [22747/98]

Conor Lenihan

Ceist:

289 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will increase the funding to health boards in order that they can give ongoing assistance in relation to aids and appliances for the disabled. [22748/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 259, 284, 285, 288 and 289 together.

The report of the 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, set out the requirements for the development of these services over a five-year period and estimated the cost at £50 million over the period.

At the beginning of 1997, the previous Government made available an additional £3.688 million revenue for the maintenance and development of the services. After taking office, this Government provided £10 million by way of additional funding before the end of 1997. This was allocated to agencies in the voluntary sector providing services to people with physicial and sensory disabilities for the provision of aids and appliances, to assist capital projects and for the elimination of accumulated funding deficits. This year, £5.4 million revenue has been provided, as well as £3 million for capital projects. In addition, I have made £0.812 million available for other capital items. Therefore, I have allocated over £19 million for the development of services for people with physical and sensory disabilities over the last 12 months or so.

As set out in An Action Programme for the Millennium, this Government is committed to ensure that the needs and aspirations of people with disabilities, their families, carers and advocates are comprehensively addressed. With regard to the provision of health services for people with physical and sensory disabilities, this commitment comprehends the implementation of the recommendations set out in Towards an Independent Future. I am satisfied that the additional money made available to date by this Government represents a major step towards implementing the recommendations of the report.