Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2011
564 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of motorised transport grant applications received; the number of same approved; and the number rejected in County Donegal for each of the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011. [31083/11]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
565 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the impact that the Health Service Executive and drug task force funding cuts over the past four years have had on a youth centre (details supplied); the steps he will take to secure funding at least at the current level for next year; and if he will take steps to reverse the recent cuts to ensure this vital community resource can continue delivering quality services. [31088/11]
View answerIn the region of €1.418m has been made available to Dublin 12 Local Drugs Task Force by my Department in 2011, of which €116,500 was allocated to the centre referred to by the Deputy. A further €111,000 was allocated to the centre this year by the HSE, as part of its range of supports for community and voluntary provision in the area of drugs education and prevention. Due to the challenging economic environment, the funding available to Drugs Task Forces has been reduced in recent years. In line with Government policy, Drugs Task Forces have been requested to avoid impacting on front line services as far as possible. Similarly, the HSE has sought to manage the impact of reductions through prioritising direct services to those individuals and families directly affected by drug misuse. Funding in relation to 2012 will be determined in the context of the estimates process taking into account the need to protect front line service provision.
566 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the costs of fluoridation here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30309/11]
View answerThe HSE spent approximately €4.78 million on fluoridation of public water supplies in 2010. The costs include hydrofluorosilicic acid — the chemical used for fluoridating water — operational and some minor capital costs.
567 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health in view of the ever-expanding numbers being catered for by agencies providing direct services to those with intellectual disability, and that at the same time they have received cuts in funding over each of the past four years, he will ensure, that like last year, they will not be asked to take the same level of cuts as the rest of the health service in the upcoming budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31143/11]
View answerThe level of funding available for the health budget is being considered as part of the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure and Estimates process for 2012 which is currently underway. Deliberations by the Government on the expenditure allocations for next year are likely to continue up until Budget time and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of those deliberations. The very difficult financial position facing the Exchequer will obviously require very careful management across all areas of expenditure.
A major priority for the Government in the coming months will be to finalise the current Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services to ensure that existing funding for people with disabilities is spent to best effect. It is now more important than ever that large scale spending programmes of this nature are subject to detailed periodic review. The VFM Efficiency and Effectiveness Review will make recommendations that will ensure that the very substantial funding, €1.5 billion, provided to the specialist disability health sector is used to maximum benefit for persons with disability, having regard to overall resource constraints which affect all sectors at this time.
As Minister for Equality, Disability, Mental Health and Older People I am committed to ensuring that the needs of our citizens who have a disability are addressed across the whole of Government.
