Services for People with Disabilities.

Wednesday, 26 May 2004

Questions (84)

David Stanton

Question:

98 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children if the strategic review of disability services to be carried out by his Department in accordance with a commitment in Sustaining Progress, the Social Partnership Agreement 2003-2005 has commenced; the person or persons in charge with carrying out the review; when the review will be completed; if the review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15711/04]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. T. O’Malley)

Sustaining Progress makes a commitment that "the Department of Health and Children will carry out a strategic review of existing service provision, in consultation with relevant interests, with a view to enhancing health and personal social services to meet the needs of people with disabilities." This review has commenced and it is anticipated that it will be completed within the lifetime of Sustaining Progress, that is, by the end of 2005.

The review is being co-ordinated by my Department. The various stakeholders have been consulted from the outset and are actively involved in the review process. I expect that the outcome of the review will be published in due course.