Written Answers. - People with Disabilities.
John V. Farrelly
Ceist:
225
Mr. Farrelly
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if he has received representations from a group (details supplied) in Dublin 4 regarding a proposal for a Minister with full responsibility for people with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4532/01]
John V. Farrelly
Ceist:
226
Mr. Farrelly
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if he has received representations from a group (details supplied) in Dublin 4 regarding proposals for (i) a minimum indexed linked disability allowance of £100 per week, (ii) an ombudsman to whom people with disabilities and their families can go to resolve matters of concern to them and (iii) meaningful recognition of the financial and social needs of carers in caring for people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4533/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 226 together.
Representations regarding an increase in the weekly rate of disability allowance to £100 from the organisation mentioned by the Deputy have been received in my Department. However, as this allowance comes under the remit of the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs the representations have been forwarded to that Department for its attention.
With regard to needs of carers who care for people with disabilities, I was pleased to be able to make additional funding of £450,000 available in 2001 for further improvements in the domiciliary care allowance scheme. The following changes will come into effect on the 1 April 2001: the requirement that the handicap must have been present for six months prior to the date of application is being abolished, which means that from the 1 April 2001 payment of the allowance will be made from the date of application; and children who normally reside in special schools or institutions and who spend periods at home, for example, weekends or holidays, will from the 1 April 2001 receive apro rata payment of the domiciliary care allowance. Furthermore, my Department made additional funding of £950,000 available in 2001 to support an increase in the respite care grant in respect of recipients of domiciliary care allowance. The grant, which will be payable in the first week of June, is being increased from £300 to £400 and is being extended to a second eligible child in a family in line with the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs budget provision.
With regard to the question concerning a proposal relating to an Ombudsman or Minister with responsibility for people with disabilities, the Deputy will be aware that the role of the Ombudsman in the protection of citizens' rights already extends to people with disabilities. Furthermore, my colleague Deputy Mary Wallace, Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, has special responsibility for people with disabilities.
