Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

I congratulate the Leas-Cheann Comhairle on his long service in the House and share the sentiments expressed by my colleagues in this regard.

I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter as it provides me with an opportunity to outline to the House the position regarding the provision of health and personal social services for people with intellectual disabilities. The recently published report of the National Intellectual Disability Database 2005 indicates that 23,914 people with an intellectual disability are registered on the database, 97% of whom are in receipt of a health or personal social service. Despite this record level of service provision and significant investment in services from 2000 to 2002 and again in 2005, it is acknowledged that nationally 2,270 people are without a major element of service, that is, a day service, full-time residential service or both.

In November 2004 the Government announced that disability and mental health services would be prioritised under the Estimates for new health initiatives in 2005. An additional sum of €40 million was allocated to services for people with an intellectual disability and those with autism in 2005 as part of a five year multiannual budget for the sector and is being used for the provision of additional day, residential and respite places for people with an intellectual disability and the transfer of people with an intellectual disability from inappropriate placements. Additional funding of at least €50 million will be allocated each year in the period 2006 to 2009 to disability and mental health services. The new funding will provide additional residential, respite and day places, improve specialist support services and meet costs associated with moving individuals to more appropriate placements. This multiannual approach, with its firm commitment to future funding, is unique to the disability service.

It is anticipated that the additional investment in disability services over the coming years will significantly address the shortfalls in service provision identified by the report of the National Intellectual Disability Database. This is proof of the Government's commitment to the national disability strategy and people with disabilities.

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