Vol. 517 No. 6
233 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing campaign of the Independent Living Network (details supplied) on issues of importance to people with disabilities; the assistance, if any, he will give in removing the disadvantages and discriminations referred to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10625/00]
In answer to the details supplied by the Deputy, the personal assistance service is part of a range of support services for people with physical and sensory disabilities designed to enable them to live in the community with the maximum possible degree of independence. My policy is to develop the range of services as a whole in accordance with the recommendations of the report of the review group on health and personal social services for people with physical and sensory disabilities, Towards an Independent Future.
To date this Government has provided just over £67 million for the maintenance and development of services in the sector, including capital developments. This year £7 million development funding has been allocated for services for people with physical and sensory disabilities, rising to £14 million in the year 2001. This funding will be primarily targeted at the provision of additional day care places and home support services. To this end, I have targeted £3 million, rising to £6 million in the year 2001, for home support services, which include personal assistance services.
The further issues raised by the Deputy relate to accessibility to public housing and to public places which are matters for the Department of the Environment and Local Government, accessible public transport which is a matter for the Department of Public Enterprise and the funding of "Vantastic" and anti-discrimination laws, both of which are matters for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
