129 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Health if he will reconsider his allocation of £230,000 for disability services to the North Eastern Health Board in view of the fact that this sum is inadequate to meet the cost of existing services and will not provide sufficient funds for the proposed setting up of a training and education centre for school leavers with a learning disability. [4079/96]

147 Mr. Hilliard asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the 1996 financial allocation for disability services in the North Eastern Health Board area is totally inadequate to meet the needs of existing services; and the plans, if any, he has to increase this allocation. [3861/96]

148 Mr. Hilliard asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it was intended to establish by September 1996, a training and education centre for school leavers with a learning disability in Navan, County Meath; and his views on the fact that this centre is now to be scrapped in view of the lack of interest in the matter. [3862/96]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 129, 147 and 148 together.

Additional revenue funding of £3 million has been provided for the development of new services for persons with a mental handicap in 1996. Of this £230,000 has been allocated to the North Eastern Health Board region. This will enable additional residential/respite and day services to be provided and allow the further extension of the home support services in the region. The health board will shortly be submitting proposals for the development of new services to my Department. Decisions about a capital allocation to support these developments will be made when the proposals are received.