Seán Ryan
Ceist:300 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children the services he proposes to provide for a young adult with special needs (details supplied) in County Dublin for September 2003. [10023/03]
Written Answers - Mental Health Services.
Seán Ryan
Ceist:301 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children when he will be in a position to provide the necessary services for a young adult (details supplied) in County Dublin. [10024/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 300 and 301 together.
Responsibility for the provision of services to persons with an intellectual disability and those with autism in the County Dublin area is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has therefore asked the regional chief executive of the authority to investigate the matters raised by the Deputy and reply to him directly.
Willie Penrose
Ceist:302 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the continuing concerns of parents and families of children and adults with intellectual disabilities, and in particular their concerns that the development programme be extended for another two years; if he will take steps to ensure that the additional moneys are provided to ensure that the necessary respite care and training and day places for these persons will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10086/03]
I am aware of the concerns expressed in relation to services to persons with an intellectual disability and those with autism.
In 2003 additional funding of €13.3 million has been allocated to services for persons with an intellectual disability or autism 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.
Despite this very significant investment, demographic factors are contributing to growing waiting lists for residential services in particular even though the number of people in receipt of services, including full time residential services, continues to increase. The increased birth rate in the 1960s and 1970s has resulted in large numbers of adults in their late 20s and early 30s requiring full-time residential services. In addition, people with an intellectual disability are living longer than previously, adding to the need for services compared to previous generations. This has also been the international experience in service provision to this population.
The overall economic position in 2003 has had implications for all aspects of public investment, and this is reflected in the Estimates and budget adopted by the Government for 2003. Within this overall framework, however, some two-thirds of the additional funding available for non-capital investment in services has been allocated to the health services.
This funding is being applied largely to maintaining existing levels of service across all service programmes including services for people with an intellectual disability. While it is regrettable that the level of investment in these services achieved in recent years could not be maintained in 2003, my Department will work closely with the health boards and other service providers in service provision this year.
The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot give specific commitments for 2004 and onwards in relation to any element of the health services as these issues form part of the Estimates and Budget discussions between my Department and the Department of Finance.