Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

In response to Deputy Maloney's question on the mobility allowance, we set out knowing the difficulty this would cause. There are people who would never be able to leave their homes but for this particular allowance and we have been conscious of that from the outset. The communications concerning it got a bit mixed up and people became worried when there was no need to worry. We hope to have the expert group's report in October. As the Minister said, it is not our intention to deprive people, who are solely reliant on this allowance for their transport needs, of any assistance we can give. I hope that message gets out there because we are very conscious of their needs.

We have changed the title of the assisted decision-making capacity legislation. We still have to keep in certain elements of it for legal reasons until it is enacted. It was published two weeks ago on the Department of Justice and Equality's website. That may be why Deputy McLellan did not spot it. I am working in two Departments, so that may be where the difficulty arose.

It is debatable as to whether we have enough perinatal services in the country. When the clinical programmes are developed, the existing expertise in that area can be used to link people who may have a difficulty with mental health during pregnancy with access to such services. Due to our low population base, I think everyone accepts that we do not need to have perinatal services in every corner. Access is an issue, however, whether for the treating clinician or the woman herself. That matter must be examined.

Deputy Fitzpatrick mentioned funding for Drumcar. The difference between this Government and its predecessors is that funding is limited. Over the years, we used to see continuous supplementary Estimates because budgets overran. Fortunately or unfortunately, that is now a thing of the past.

In respect of vulnerable groups, particularly adults with disabilities, we are looking at a different way of implementing what they consider to be their care needs. We carried out a detailed value for money analysis of how the service was provided and how much it cost and we have now put together an implementation group. Some of those appointed to the group take a particular interest in the needs of people with disabilities and have been revolutionary in their thinking. There is no point in denying that things will change but we have to start consulting people with disabilities to find out what they prefer rather than looking into our hearts and assuming we know what is good for them.

The funding we provide is substantial. On average we spend €1.2 billion annually on services for people with disabilities in the health area alone. This is separate to what is spent in education, social protection and justice. It is a substantial budget and changes will come about.