I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 to 132, inclusive, together.
In line with the recommendations of the report of the task force on autism, my Department has liaised with the Department of Education and Science in relation to the provision of the relevant health related support services. Between 1998 and 2004, €16 million was invested in the early intervention, pre-school and multi-disciplinary support services to enhance access to those services by children with autism and those with intellectual disability.
My colleague, the Minister for Finance, in his 2005 budget speech allocated a sum of €40 million for services to persons with an intellectual disability and those with autism. This new funding will provide 270 additional residential places, put in place approximately 90 extra respite places, provide around 400 new day places, improve specialist support services for people with major challenging behaviour and provide €2 million to meet costs associated with moving individuals to more appropriate placements. In addition, the Minister for Finance also announced on budget day a special disability multi-annual funding package with a total cumulative value of close to €900 million over the years 2006 to 2009. This funding is being dedicated now for the period until 2009 so as to ensure the delivery of these high priority disability services.
This package includes guaranteed additional cumulative current spending of almost €600 million. The Government has also agreed to allocate €300 million out of the revised capital envelope to these high priority disability services. The bulk of the new funding package will go to the health sector where it will be invested in services for persons with an intellectual disability and those with autism, services for persons with physical or sensory disabilities and mental health services. It will focus, in particular, on the provision of extra residential, respite and day places, extra home support and personal assistance, and extra places in community based mental health facilities.
Furthermore, a strategic review of disability services is currently being conducted by my Department. The various recommendations in the report will be considered in the course of this review.