The Minister of State for Health has appealed to the voluntary sector to help the Department make the case for funding by contributing to a physical disability database.
Mr Brian Lenihan said the database would be the basis on which Minister Micheál Martin will be seeking funds for health services for people with disabilities.
"If evidence of need is not provided, it will be difficult for him to make the case for funding," he warned
Mr Lenihan, who was speaking at the launch yesterday of the three-year strategy for Cheshire Ireland, said the establishment of a National Database for Physical and Sensory Disability Services was a "huge step forward" for the sector.
Cheshire Ireland, which operates 15 accommodation services around the State for more than 300 people with physical or sensory disability, is the principal provider of supported accommodation and respite to adults with severe physical disabilities.
Its head of service quality, Mr Niall Byrne, said the organisation supported the database as a planning tool for services.
But, he said, it would be more complex to establish than the one for intellectual disability because people with physical disability may not be in contact with services.
The Minister said that despite current economic difficulties, the €50 million funding announced for people with disabilities emphasised the Government's commitment to the continued development of services to people with physical and sensory disabilities to live as independently as possible within the community.
