Dr. Jacobs questions the Disability Services Minister about a discrepancy between increased funding for accommodation support and the number of people receiving assistance. The Minister refutes the premise based on an unconfirmed figure and promises to provide further information.

AnsweredQoN 214Legislative Assembly
Asked
4 May 2006
Portfolio
Disability Services

QuestionView source ↗

DISABILITY SERVICES FUNDING
I refer to a recent Disability Services Commission annual report that reveals an increase of $25 million in accommodation support for disabled people since 2001. (1) Is the minister aware that based on the average cost of just under $47 000 a client, this increase in funding should have provided accommodation support for an extra 544 people? (2) Can the minister explain why only 185 extra people received accommodation assistance over this period? Ms M.M. QUIRK

AnswerView source ↗

(1)-(2) I thank the member for his question and his interest in this area. The member for Roe will, of course, applaud the government’s decision today to provide funding subsidies for people with incontinence, which, of course, includes people with disabilities. He will welcome that development. The member’s question is based on a false premise, because the figure of 47 000 has not been provided to me. If that figure is incorrect, the rest of the member’s question does not follow. I am happy to follow that up and to provide the member with the information. It is my understanding that the figure for people with high-support needs is much greater than 47 000. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.
(1) Is the minister aware that based on the average cost of just under $47 000 a client, this increase in funding should have provided accommodation support for an extra 544 people? (2) Can the minister explain why only 185 extra people received accommodation assistance over this period? Ms M.M. QUIRK replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for his question and his interest in this area. The member for Roe will, of course, applaud the government’s decision today to provide funding subsidies for people with incontinence, which, of course, includes people with disabilities. He will welcome that development. The member’s question is based on a false premise, because the figure of 47 000 has not been provided to me. If that figure is incorrect, the rest of the member’s question does not follow. I am happy to follow that up and to provide the member with the information. It is my understanding that the figure for people with high-support needs is much greater than 47 000. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.
(2) Can the minister explain why only 185 extra people received accommodation assistance over this period? Ms M.M. QUIRK replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for his question and his interest in this area. The member for Roe will, of course, applaud the government’s decision today to provide funding subsidies for people with incontinence, which, of course, includes people with disabilities. He will welcome that development. The member’s question is based on a false premise, because the figure of 47 000 has not been provided to me. If that figure is incorrect, the rest of the member’s question does not follow. I am happy to follow that up and to provide the member with the information. It is my understanding that the figure for people with high-support needs is much greater than 47 000. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.
Ms M.M. QUIRK replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for his question and his interest in this area. The member for Roe will, of course, applaud the government’s decision today to provide funding subsidies for people with incontinence, which, of course, includes people with disabilities. He will welcome that development. The member’s question is based on a false premise, because the figure of 47 000 has not been provided to me. If that figure is incorrect, the rest of the member’s question does not follow. I am happy to follow that up and to provide the member with the information. It is my understanding that the figure for people with high-support needs is much greater than 47 000. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.
(1)-(2) I thank the member for his question and his interest in this area. The member for Roe will, of course, applaud the government’s decision today to provide funding subsidies for people with incontinence, which, of course, includes people with disabilities. He will welcome that development. The member’s question is based on a false premise, because the figure of 47 000 has not been provided to me. If that figure is incorrect, the rest of the member’s question does not follow. I am happy to follow that up and to provide the member with the information. It is my understanding that the figure for people with high-support needs is much greater than 47 000. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.
Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.
The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time.

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