Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 1

Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

508 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures he has taken since 1997 to improve the position of the mentally handicapped; his plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1329/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Between 1997 and the end of 2001 my Department invested additional revenue and capital funding amounting to £205 million, 260.3 million, in the services for persons with an intellectual disability and those with autism. This has brought on stream around 1,600 new residential places, 2,400 new day places and 395 new respite places. In addition to the new residential, respite and day places, many individuals have received an enhanced level of service, including an upgraded level of residential care, more appropriate day placements or increased access to multidisciplinary support, social or leisure activities. For example, as a result of the 2001 development programme, over 5,000 people benefited to some extent from the new or enhanced level of services which came on stream.

There has been significant progress in the provision of more appropriate services and accommodation for persons with an intellectual disability or autism in psychiatric hospitals or other inappropriate placements. The number of persons with an intellectual disability or autism in psychiatric hospitals at the end of 2001 was 503, down from 970 in 1996.

In 2002 additional revenue funding amounting to 25 million has been allocated for the further development of services to persons with an intellectual disability and those with autism. This funding is in addition to the 13.825 million revenue funding which has already been made available to the services to meet the full year costs of the 2001 development programme and identified needs in existing services. A total of 12.7 million capital funding has also been made available to the services in 2002. This funding will provide for the following new service developments: over 100 new residential places, 75 new respite places, 600 new day places, the further enhancement of health related support services for children with an intellectual disability or autism, the continuation of the programme to transfer persons with an intellectual disability or autism from psychiatric hospitals and other inappropriate placements and the further enhancement of specialist support services.

This funding will enable the health boards and specialist service providers to continue to build on the very significant developments which have taken place in the services particularly over the last two years.