Written question asked by Iris Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Monday, 6 September 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 September 2004. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour) on Monday, 13 September 2004 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the merits of providing funding directly to the Regional Disablement Service rather than through health boards.

Answer: Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the merits of providing funding directly to the Regional Disablement Service rather than through health boards. [187786] Angela Smith: Funding for the Regional Disablement Service is provided by the four Health and Social Services Boards from the Physical and Sensory Disability Programme of Care budget via Service Level Agreements with Green Park Trust for the provision of services. The agreements are subject to regular monitoring and performance management to ensure that the best possible care is provided. As each Board has a statutory responsibility for the commissioning of services for its resident population, and the current arrangements provide a robust accountability regime, there are no plans to change them.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 424 c1491W;424 c1489W; 187786
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Disability aids Health services Finance Northern Ireland Health and social services boards Prosthetics Green Park Health and Social Services Trust
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk