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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 24 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 6

Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.

Rory O'Hanlon

Ceist:

179 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to provide for the establishment of resource centres for the visually impaired through the health boards in association with the National Council of the Blind to be located in close proximity to ophthalmology out-patient departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14723/00]

The provision of services to people with sensory disabilities, including the establishment of resource centres for the visually impaired is a matter for the relevant health boards. In line 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, regional co-ordinating committees for physical and sensory disability services have been established in each health board, bringing together the statutory and voluntary sector service providers, including the national Council for the Blind of Ireland, the consumers and their representatives for the better planning and co-ordination of services at regional level. Priorities for the allocation of funding available for the development of services are decided by the health boards in consultation with their regional co-ordinating committees. This year £7 million has been provided to the health boards for the development of services to people with physical and sensory disabilities.

My Department has actively encouraged the voluntary sector in taking a partnership approach for the provision of services to people with physical and sensory disabilities, and I am aware that the National Council for the Blind of Ireland is developing a collaborative approach with a number of other voluntary agencies to develop resource centres throughout the country. Currently three such centres, based in Wexford, Kilkenny and Cork city have been agreed for funding by the relevant health boards in consultation with their regional co-ordinating committees. These resource centres include a provision to access the low vision needs of adults and children.
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