SPEECH OF MR BRENDAN HOWLIN T.D., MINISTER FOR HEALTH ON THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE DAIL ON THE ADJOURNAMENT OF THE DAIL ON THE NEED FOR FUNDING TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO AVERT THE CLOSURE OF THE CENTRE FOR INDEPENDENT LIVNG AND TO ENABLE THE ORGANISATION TO CONTINUE PROVIDING VITAL CARE AND ATTENTION FOR THE DISABLED AND THE HANDICAPPED.

Wednesday 29 th of June 1994

Bernard J. Durkan

Reply

I am aware of the funding difficulties at the Center for Independent Living. The Center runs two programmes: INCARE, which is a two-year action-research programme based on promoting independent living for people with disabilities through the use of Personal Assistants, and Operation Get Out which is a one year action-research programme aimed at giving people with significant disabilities in institutional care the opportunity to live in the community with back-up support.

Funding of £235,000 for these programmes was received under the EU Horizon programme as a two-year pilot project. In addition the Minister provided a further £100,000 fro Social Welfare in 1993 to support the Eastern Health Board provided the INCARE programme and £38,000 in June 1994 to support the Operation Get Out Programme. Funding is also received from FAS on an ongoing basis for the training of personal assistants.

When officials met with representatives of the Center this morning, they were advised that expenditure projections to the end of 1994 indicate a shortfall in funding of £120,000. This, it appears, arises from the fact that the Center took on commitments, which it was not in a position to finance. I am very concerned at the I implications of this financial crisis for the 30 people with disabilities who are in receipt of services from personal assistants under the Center’s programmes. There are also serious implications fro the fifty-five employees. I would like to stress that I fully support the principle of independent living for people with disabilities.

Following urgent phone-calls this week, I arranged a meeting between officers of my Department.

Following urgent phone calls this week, I arranged a meeting between an officer of my department, the Eastern Health Board and the Center. On foot of this meeting, further detailed financial financial information is being requested, particularly in relation to the management and administration expenses incurred by the Center. In view of the considerable funding already approved by the Minister fro Social Welfare, I am consulting with him to see if a solution can be found to the current problem. In the meantime, I am pleased to state that Rehab Lotteries will be providing a once off grant of £30,000 and this will ensure that services can be maintained in the immediate future.

As I mentioned at the outset, this is a two-year pilot project largely funded by Horizon under EU guidelines. The project will be the subject of review and evaluation, including an investment-benefit analysis.

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