Vol. 561 No. 4
376 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if there is funding available for communities which want to put in the loop system to help those with hard of hearing in churches and other places in this Year of the Disabled; and the funding which is available for them. [4611/03]
The provision of health related services to people with physical and sensory disabilities is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards in the first instance. As I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, the funding which was made available in 2003 will be used for priority service pressures such as residential care, respite care, home support services and therapy services.
The installation of any facilities to assist people with disabilities, including those who are hard of hearing, in buildings such as churches, is entirely a matter for consideration by the organisation concerned.
