Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 11 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 2

Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

190 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will address the issue of underfunding of physical and sensory disabilities agencies as highlighted by the National Council for the Blind of Ireland which has identified total core deficits among all the agencies concerned as ?11 million; if he will increase the allocation of ?5.9 million allocated to deal with core deficits in view of the agreement in writing that underfunding will be finally sorted out in 2003; and if, in conjunction with this, he will address the chronic staff shortages among some of the member organisations. [16117/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. T. O'Malley)

My Department has recently advised the Not for Profit Business Association of an additional allocation of €5.85 million to relieve the underfunding situation of its member organisations, including the National Council for the Blind of Ireland.

Further claims amounting to over €5 million have been made by the association and these claims are being considered by my Department, in consultation with the Eastern Regional Health Authority, the health boards and the association itself, having regard to the availability of funds. Additional claims for extra staff numbers will also be considered in the light of available resources.

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 disabilities. 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 relation to service provision this year.