Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 April 2011
142 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health and Children his support for a foundation (details supplied); if he will honour the commitment made by the previous Minister for Health and Children to fund this foundation through 2011; the funding level he envisages for 2012 for the foundation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7055/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraI assure the Deputy that the Health Service Executive will continue to fund the Jack & Jill Foundation in 2011. The Health Service Executive is working 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 the foundation to ensure no child is hospitalised for want of adequate home support, provided by Jack and Jill or the HSE. The previous Minister's guidance to the Health Service Executive in developing its service plan for 2011 was that there should be a particular focus on protecting services to vulnerable groups. The Minister requested the Executive to give favourable treatment to disability services by setting a lower savings target for disability services of a maximum budget reduction of 1.8%. Decisions in relation to funding for the health services in 2012 will not be made until later this year as part of the 2012 Estimates process for the public services.
