I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to services to persons with an intellectual disability-mental handicap. While I am unclear as to the specific discrepancies referred to by the Deputy, I am aware that in addition to the need for the development of new services, there are also needs which must be met within existing services.
With reference to the new services which have been put in place in recent years, these have been developed in line with the priority needs which have been identified for the various health board regions. The full cost of those services has been provided to both statutory and voluntary service providers. The costs associated with the various elements of the services are dependent on many factors including level of disability, whether a full or part-time service is being provided and the type of care setting required. These factors are taken into account when the funding is being allocated by the health boards.
In relation to existing services, issues related to historic base funding arrangements, the ageing client profile and reduction in income from other sources are amongst the principal reasons which give rise to financial problems for health boards and voluntary agencies.