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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 26 Jan 2000

Vol. 513 No. 1

Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.

Liam Lawlor

Ceist:

491 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will provide matching funding on a statutory basis for a voluntary organisation involved in providing services for a small number of disabled children and their parents in a specific category for whom the organisation is the only agency in the State working on their behalf. [1951/00]

The provision of health related support services to children with an intellectual and/or physical disability is a matter in the first instance for the health boards. The regional intellectual disability consultative and development committees in each health board region identify priorities for service development and co-ordinate the provision of services, including additional services as resources become available. These committees are representative of the health board, voluntary service providers and families of persons with an intellectual disability.

The additional revenue funding which has been allocated in 2000 is designed to support the development of additional services with an annual cost of £35 million. Due to the timeframe involved in bringing all the new services planned for 2000 on stream, the actual cost of these services in 2000 will be £28 million. This funding will provide a broad range of support services including residential, respite and day care facilities, in addition to other support services for families of persons with an intellectual disability and those with autism.
Officials from my Department met some time ago with the agency in question and explained to it the process through which financial assistance should be sought and the importance of working with the boards in relation to the sourcing of possible ongoing financial support. I have arranged for a copy of my reply and the information submitted by the Deputy to be sent to the various health boards and suggest that the agency approach the relevant boards with a view to discussing with them issues related to the ongoing support of the families in question.
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