Hon Ruth Dyson
Minister for Disability Issues

15 June 2000

Budget targets carers, school leavers with disabilities

Today's Budget delivers on Labour's key commitments to people with disabilities, Minister for Disability Issues Ruth Dyson says.

"Before the election, we signalled that our priorities were carer support and vocational services. This Budget delivers on both those fronts."

An additional $10 million a year (including GST) has been allocated for disability support services. The money will target carer support ($4.1 million), residential care and other flexible living options for people with high complex needs ($3.1 million), and home support and personal care ($2.8 million).

Ms Dyson says the new funding acknowledges the greater disadvantage of Mäori and Pacific peoples. Thirty five per cent of the new funding overall will go towards developing services for Mäori and improving their access to services.

In the Auckland locality, 17 per cent of the new funding will go towards developing services for Pacific people and improving their access to services.

School leavers with disabilities are also Budget winners, with increased funding for vocational services.

"For too long, there has been a big gap between school leavers' rightful expectations of their employment options when they leave school, and our ability to meet those expectations," Ms Dyson says. "This funding will help address that gap."

New funding of $4.51 million (including GST) has been allocated to vocational services in the 2000/2001 year. This will increase to $6.616 million in 20001/2002, $4.53 million in 2002/03 and $5.76 million in subsequent years.

The funding is targeted at school leavers with severe, multiple and complex disabilities; school leavers with disabilities who have high needs and require day and vocational services; and adults with disabilities.

ENDS

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