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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 1 Dec 1998

Vol. 497 No. 5

Written Answers - Services for People with Disabilities.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

228 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of disabled persons awaiting the provision of powered electric wheelchairs; the cost of meeting this requirement; and if he will make the necessary finance available in 1999 to resolve this problem. [25714/98]

Frances Fitzgerald

Ceist:

235 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health and Children the action, if any, he will take to continue to supply aid and appliances to the physically disabled; if he will repeat the allocation given in 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25814/98]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 235 together.

Statistics on the number of people awaiting powered wheelchairs are not routinely gathered by my Department. However, I have asked the health boards to provide this information and I will communicate further with the Deputy when these become available.

The provision of aids and appliances for qualified persons with physical and sensory disabilities is a matter for the health boards. At the end of 1997, additional funding of £4.325 million was made available through voluntary agencies providing services in the sector for aids. appliances and equipment for people with physical and sensory disabilities. In addition, £1 million was allocated to the health boards this year for the same purpose.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

229 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the proposed resource centre for persons with a disability (details supplied) in County Cork; and if his Department will provide funding for the capital and running costs of the centre. [25715/98]

The provision of services for people with disabilities in County Cork is a matter for the Southern Health Board. Priorities for the allocation of funding available for the development of such services are decided by the board in consultation with the co-ordinating committee for physical and sensory disability services or the co-ordinating committee for mental handicap services, as appropriate.

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