Budget 2007 invests in disabled New Zealanders

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.