I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 177 together.
My Department understands from the Health Service Executive that its priority in 2006 is to increase service provision in the area of multi-disciplinary supports to meet obligations to children with developmental delay, in the home, in the community and in other appropriate settings. In this regard €12.5m was made available by the HSE from the 2006 investment programme to provide multi-disciplinary supports to people with intellectual, physical and sensory disability and/or autism.
The Deputy's questions relate to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.