Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 January 2011
108 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the Health Service Executive did not meet a funding shortfall of €750,000 for a foundation (details supplied) which will mean that a number of babies with severe development delay and brain damage may have to return to hospital at a much greater cost to the health service of €14 million; her views on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1936/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) is working jointly with the Jack and Jill Foundation to identify and prioritise the needs of the children on a case-by-case basis. The HSE is prepared to work closely with Jack & Jill to ensure that no child is hospitalised for want of adequate home support, provided by Jack and Jill or the HSE. However, if a child needs hospital care, the HSE will provide this. The Health Service Executive will continue to fund Jack & Jill in 2011 on the same basis as in 2010, subject to any overall resources limitations that may arise for all providers in the disability sector generally, but it is not in a position to provide additional funding for the Foundation to compensate for the drop in its private fund-raising income.
