Vol. 520 No. 5
120 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being created for people with disabilities by the absence of any disabled parking bays adjacent to the main entrance of Tallaght Hospital, Dublin 24, with the result that they have to park in the main car park some distance away; if he will request the authorities to review the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16334/00]
148 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of disabled parking spaces at Tallaght Hospital, Dublin 24; the distance between these and the main entrances; if his attention has been drawn to the problems created for those with mobility difficulties by the distance involved; if he will ask the hospital authorities to examine the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16333/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 148 together.
I understand that there are six dedicated parking spaces for persons with a disability at ground floor level of the multi-storey car park at the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, incorporating the National Children's Hospital, Tallaght, adjacent to the pedestrian entrance. I also understand that there are four overflow spaces available if required. The distance from these spaces to the main hospital entrance is 130 metres.
The hospital is aware of the problems encountered by disabled persons using the car park and is considering the provision of dedicated spaces for unaccompanied disabled drivers at the hospital entrance.
I point out that the responsibility for the provision of services at the hospital, which includes car parking facilities, now rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has, therefore asked the regional chief executive of the authority to investigate this matter further and to reply directly to the Deputy.
121 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will provide funds to meet the costs of centralised management support and of the information and liaison services of the National Association for Deaf People in order that it can continue to support it's growing range of services. [16243/00]
In the first instance, the provision of funding to voluntary agencies in respect of their services to people with physical and sensory disabilities is a matter for the relevant health board in whose functional area the service is being provided. Between 1998 and 2000, additional funding totalling £230,000 has been provided by the Eastern Regional Health Authority to the National Association for Deaf People headquarters for the provision of its core services.
An independent assessment of the existing core service requirements of specified voluntary agencies providing services to people with physical and sensory disabilities, including the National Association for Deaf People, is currently under way and, on completion, the findings of this assessment will be examined by my Department.
