The information that the Deputy requested is not routinely gathered by my Department. The chief executive officers of the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards have been requested to provide the information to my Department and I will forward the information to the Deputy as soon as possible.
My Department is aware that the preliminary findings of a study in the Eastern Regional Health Authority indicate that there are substantial numbers of individuals with significant disabilities in the region who may not be receiving services in the most appropriate setting. In accordance with the action plan set out in the health strategy, Quality and Fairness – A Health System For You, this is one of the issues to be pursued in the planning of infrastructure development in the health system.