Vol. 496 No. 3
261 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will ensure that the campaign to provide more money for aids and appliances for people with disabilities living at home, as in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 is fully supported in the forthcoming budget in view of the fact that it would only take approximately £5 million to meet these needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22458/98]
The provision of aids and appliances for people with disabilities is a matter for the relevant health board. Accordingly, I have referred the details of the case provided by the Deputy to the chief executive officer of the Eastern Health Board with a request that he have the matter examined and that he reply directly to the Deputy.
At the end of 1997, this Government made available £4.325 million, by way of once-off grants to various voluntary agencies working in the sector, for the provision of aids and appliances for people with physical and sensory disabilities. This funding was made available from savings made in the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs. The further development of this service will be considered in the context of the resources available for developments generally in 1999.
