Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 20 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 4

Written Answers. - Health Services.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

358 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will provide additional funding to the health boards to provide paramedical services and home supports to polio survivors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8534/02]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

360 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will establish a high level committee to examine the current situation relating to polio survivors in line with the proposals of the post-polio support group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8536/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 358 and 360 together.

The provision of health-related services to people with physical and sensory disabilities, including those with post-polio syndrome, is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards in the first instance. Health boards provide a range of support services to enable people with physical and sensory disabilities to live as independently as possible within the community. This includes residential respite care, day care, home support including personal assistance services, nursing, therapy, counselling and family support, aids and appliances. Specialised residential care services are also provided.

Significant additional funding of over €175 million has been provided by this Government since coming into office. This level of funding is indicative of the Government's ongoing commitment to the provision of quality services and includes: just under €30 million for aids and appliances; €60 million ongoing funding for the development of services including residential, respite, home support and personal assistance and therapy services; €36 million for capital projects; and a significant proportion of the remainder allocated in support of voluntary sector service providers. In addition to this level of funding my Department, in conjunction with the Health Research Board, the health boards and the voluntary sector service providers, are currently developing the national physical and sensory disability database, which I recently launched. When complete, the database will provide a detailed picture of each individual's health service requirements over a five year period and at national level, detailed statistical information to assist in the acquisition of funds and identify priority services at which to target these resources. The database will be an essential tool in the delivery of effective services to people with physical and sensory disabilities in a planned and co-ordinated manner.

The above-mentioned issues relate to the many and varying conditions which cause physical and sensory disabilities, including post-polio syndrome. It is not proposed to form a committee relating specifically to that condition. It is worth noting, however, that the Disability Federation of Ireland, of which the Post-Polio Support Group is a member, is represented at various forums such as the national physical and sensory disability database committee and the review group on home support services.