Services for People with Disabilities.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 June 2007

Wednesday, 27 June 2007

Ceisteanna (184, 185)

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

233 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children and adults currently accommodated and provided for at a centre (details supplied) in County Kildare; the anticipated accommodation and education and health requirements and support services expected to be required there at in the future in view of demographic trends and referrals; her proposals to fund such requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18071/07]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

234 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the extent to which she and her Department have evaluated the services available at a centre (details supplied) in County Kildare; the extent to which she proposes to fund these necessary services in the future with particular reference to ensuring adequate places for the number of children expected to rely on such services in the future; if her attention has been drawn to the ever increasing pressure for the places and services at the centre; if she will increase funding and support in line with these requirements in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18072/07]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 234 together.

As the Deputy may be aware, an additional sum of €75 million for revenue purposes was provided to the Health Service Executive for Disability Services in the 2007 Budget. This sum incorporates the 2007 element of the Government's multi-annual investment programme for the National Disability Strategy. This Strategy is committed to enhancing the level and range of multi-disciplinary support services to adults and children with an intellectual, physical and sensory disability and those with 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.