Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 6 Nov 2001

Vol. 543 No. 2

Written Answers. - Mental Handicap Services.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

366 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has to introduce a multi-annual capital and current budget for services provided for people with a mental disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26141/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

The national development plan already provides for a multi-annual capital budget for the period 2000-06. The possibility of multi-annual budgeting for current budgets is being considered in the context of the new health strategy which is currently being finalised.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

367 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the average financial cost of the provision of a residential bed for an individual with an intellectual disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26142/01]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

368 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the average financial cost for the provision of a respite bed for an individual with an intellectual disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26143/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 367 and 368 together.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the cost of providing residential or respite care will vary from case to case, depending on the individual needs of the persons availing of the service. My Department reviews the average cost of providing these services on an annual basis using the costs associated with the previous year's actual developments as a guide. In 2001 the average cost used for additional residential and respite places was £35,000, 44,440.83, per place. In addition to the funding provided for around 70 respite places at an average cost of £35,000, 44,440.83, per place, provision was also made for a further 40 high support respite places at a cost of £50,000, 63,486.90, per place. Four places were allocated to each health board region as part of the development of an overall response to the needs of persons with major challenging behaviour.

My Department is reviewing the average costs which would be associated with any proposed developments in 2002 as part of the Estimates and budgetary process which is under way.