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Budget 2007 invests in disabled New Zealanders

Infonews Editor

Thursday 17 May 2007, 6:50PM

By Infonews Editor

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Disability services will receive a funding boost in Budget 2007.

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Budget 2007 promises a total investment in the lives of disabled New Zealanders valued at $152.8 million and protected in the first year from demographic and cost pressures by a further $36.1 million.

"This suite of initiatives from Vote Health supports the New Zealand Disability Strategy, the framework for changing New Zealand from a disabling to an enabling society," said Disability Issues Minister Ruth Dyson.

Budget 2007 includes the following operational funding for disability:




A total of $32 million over the next four years to stabilise home-based disabilty support services.



A total of $44 million over the next four years for residential services for disabled people under 65 years of age



A total of $10.5 million over four years for Autism Spectrum disorder work



$6 million in funding over the next four years for family caregiver support



$12 million in total over four years for Intellectual Disabilty compulsory care and rehabilitation - high and complex services



Increased baseline funding for Environmental Support services totalling $48.3 million over the next four years ; and



Disability Support Services will receive a total of $36.1 million for the financial year 2007/08 to cover cost and demographic pressures.



All figures are GST exclusive.