€45m to implement disability plan vital

A HEALTH board yesterday unveiled a blueprint to improve services for disabled people in Cork and Kerry, but has not secured the €45 million needed to implement the plan.

However, the Southern Health Board said it is confident the money will be provided.

"We have presented a strong case, based on interviews of service users who are saying this is what we need over the next five years," said Michael Shemeld, the SHB's development manager for physical and sensory disability.

"We haven't just whacked in a bill for €45m. We believe we have proven the need," he said.

The Supporting an Independent Future 2004-2007 action plan launched yesterday was developed by the SHB's Regional Co-Ordinating Committee a partnership between the health board, voluntary sector groups and service users.

It was compiled using information drawn from the National Physical and Sensory Disability Database.

The plan contains more than 80 recommendations. It calls for improvements in:

Accommodation and respite care.

Assisted living and home support.

Community therapy and nursing.

Community integration programmes like day activity and resource centres.

For example, it recommends the building of resource centres in Killarney, Mallow and Mahon to offer community integration

programmes for people with disabilities.

The bill for implementing the plan over the next four years is €45m €21m for running costs and a further €24m for buildings and equipment.

Using the database has proven the need for extra funding, said Chris Fahy, of People with Disabilities in Ireland.

Mrs Fahy, who was involved in drawing up the action plan, said yesterday's launch was the result of six years of hard work.

She also urged people in the region with disabilities, who use or who will need health services, to register on the National Physical and Sensory Disability Database.

Negotiations between the SHB and the Department of Health and Children to secure the extra €45m are already underway.