AQW 38733/11-15

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 13/11/2014
Answered On Date: 26/11/2014
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what funding his Department, and its arm's-length bodies, have provided to support programmes which train people with a disability on issues related to sexual health and general wellbeing.

Answer:

The information requested is not held centrally. Health and Social Care organisations commission a range of services for people with a disability and a range of programmes to promote sexual health and wellbeing, many of these services are accessible to people with a disability. Examples of specifically funded relevant services include: a funding allocation of £57,160 in 2013/14 to support the Family Planning Association’s ‘Just Ask’ programme, which aims to improve the sexual health of people with learning difficulties; funding of approximately £10,000 for the “Health for Youth through Peer Education” group to deliver sexual health programmes to 122 young people with learning disabilities studying at Belfast Metropolitan College; and funding of £5,000 to deliver a training programme on ‘Personal and Sexual Relationships’ to staff working with those with a learning disability.

Furthermore, in line with the objectives of my Department’s Physical and Sensory Disability Strategy and Action Plan 2012-2015, the Public Health Agency is leading on action to ensure the needs of people with disabilities are considered in the design and development of health promotion programmes and campaigns. Trust-funded programmes include, for example, staff working with adults with a learning disability and assisting them in accessing a range of health and wellbeing programmes such as sports and healthy cookery programmes.