Nora Owen
Ceist:208 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children the budget for 1998 and 1999 for mentally handicapped services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3211/99]
Written Answers - Mental Handicap Services.
Additional funding of £12 million, with a full year cost of £18 million in 2000, has been provided in 1999 for the further development of new services to persons with mental handicap. This £12 million is in addition to the £6 million already allocated to the services in 1999 to meet identified needs in existing services. This brings the total additional funding provided in 1999 for the services to £18 million, with a full year cost of £24 million in 2000.
An estimate of the overall budget for mental handicap services in 1998 and 1999 is currently being finalised in the context of the Revised Book of Estimates. This information should be available shortly and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.