Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2004
153 Mr. Gregory asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason there is no central database regarding services for children with special needs, indicating the type of client each service is designed for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22992/04]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the National Intellectual Disability Database was established in 1995. This database outlines the specialised health services currently used or needed by people with intellectual disability and informs the strategic direction of these services through the provision of information on trends in service need, service use and wider societal changes that may impact on service developments. The National Intellectual Disability Database answers four key questions: how many people with intellectual disability are receiving specialised health services; how many people with intellectual disability are waiting for such services; what services are they waiting on; and when, in the next five years, do they need these services? The National Intellectual Disability Database is intended to provide a comprehensive and accurate information base for decision-making in relation to the planning, funding and management of services for people with an intellectual disability.
154 Mr. Noonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when funding will be provided to commission a six unit residential unit at St. Vincent’s, Lisnagry, County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22993/04]
View answerThe development of health related services for people with intellectual disabilities, and for those with autism, is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards in the first instance. Priorities for the allocation of funding available for the development of such services are decided by the health boards in consultation with the regional consultative and development committees for intellectual disabilities and autism. Voluntary sector service providers and consumers are represented on these committees. Accordingly, the Deputy's question has been referred to the chief executive officer of the Mid-Western Health Board with a request that he examine the matter and reply directly to the Deputy, as a matter of urgency.
