Epilepsy Foundation
Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (20:50): My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Health, and the action is confirmation of funding for the Epilepsy Foundation. As we approach International Epilepsy Day on Monday, 10 February, I would really like to acknowledge the great work undertaken by the Epilepsy Foundation in supporting the 60 000 people living with epilepsy in Victoria.
I would also like to take a moment to acknowledge that, had it not been for the Epilepsy Foundation, I do not think medicinal cannabis would be where it is in Australia. Their work and their advocacy in that area have been simply brilliant.
I would also like to acknowledge the Epilepsy Smart Schools program developed by the Epilepsy Foundation. This is a world’s best practice program that is now being delivered across Australia by the Epilepsy Foundation’s partner organisations and is a wonderful example of a Victorian organisation leading the way.
At this stage there is no funding or support agreement in place past the end of this financial year for the Epilepsy Foundation’s programs. This is a cause, not surprisingly, of great uncertainty to the community of Victorians living with epilepsy. I urge the minister to confirm that the Victorian government will continue to provide funding for the Epilepsy Foundation’s programs in the next financial year.
Fiona Patten MP
Leader of Reason
Member of Northern Metropolitan Region
Adjournment matter raised 5/2/20
Answer
Ms MIKAKOS (Northern Metropolitan—Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services, Minister for the Coordination of Health and Human Services: COVID-19):
I am advised that:
Funding from the Victorian Government was previously provided to Epilepsy Foundation through a disability funding stream (for therapy, case management and information services). This now forms part of Victoria’s $2.5 billion contribution to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is responsible for administration of the NDIS, which includes individualised support packages for people with disability to choose the supports they require; as well as the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) component of the scheme.
The Epilepsy Foundation are an eligible organisation who are able to apply for ILC grants. ILC commenced in Victoria on 1 July 2019 and provides grants to organisations to deliver projects in the community that benefit all Australians with disability, their carers and families.
To date, grants for two of the 4 programs that form the NDIA’s ILC investment strategy have been announced. It is encouraging to see many Victorian organisations have already been successful in the National Information Program and Individual Capacity Building Program grant rounds.
I encourage the Foundation to continue to work with the NDIA to secure funding for eligible services.