John Perry
Ceist:241 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of funding granted to disability groups in the north-west for 2001, 2002 and 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5032/03]
Vol. 561 No. 5
241 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of funding granted to disability groups in the north-west for 2001, 2002 and 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5032/03]
The development of health related support services to people with disabilities is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards in the first instance. Priorities for the allocation of funding available for the development of such services are decided by the health boards in consultation with their regional co-ordinating committees and regional consultative and development committees for disability services. Voluntary sector service providers and consumers are represented on the co-ordinating committees.
Additional funding allocated to the North-Western Health Board in respect of disability services for the years requested by the Deputy is as follows:
€m |
|
2001 |
9.251 |
2002 |
6.393 |
2003 (to date) |
1.987 |
242 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if sufficient financial resources will be made available to St. Michael's House (details supplied). [5039/03]
I am aware of the concerns regarding the provision of services to persons with an intellectual disability and those with autism. Additional funding of €13.3 million has been allocated to services for persons with an intellectual disability or autism in 2003 to meet the full year cost of the 2002 developments and to further enhance the health related support services to children with an intellectual disability or autism. This funding is in addition to the very significant revenue investment, amounting to €188 million, which has been made in these services since 1997 and which is built into the ongoing budget base.
The additional funding provided by this and the previous Government between 2000 and 2002 was used to put in place, in addition to a range of other services, over 900 new residential, 380 new respite and around 2,000 new day places for people with an intellectual disability and those with autism.