Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

I thank Deputy Power for raising this matter. I am pleased to have this opportunity to clarify some of the background and context in regard to the new six unit residential complex at St. Vincent's, Lisnagry, County Limerick which has been developed by the Daughters of Charity.

The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes the responsibility for the provision and funding of new or enhanced levels of health and personal social services.

The HSE has informed me that it is well established practice that all proposals for service development and enhancement for persons with intellectual disability must be submitted to the local consultative and development committees in the first instance. These committees consider all proposals made and in turn advise the HSE on the service priorities for each region.

The HSE states that no advance proposals in respect of this development at Lisnagry were submitted to its committees. The HSE further states that, subsequent to the developments being completed, the HSE was informed by the Daughters of Charity that the running cost of these services would require €1.75 million revenue each year.

The HSE is committed to the partnership framework of consultative and development committees outlined above, which can only progress new developments or enhancements consistent with national policy and in line with identified priorities and available funding. Currently, prioritisation is towards persons with a disability who are without a service and who urgently require a residential place.

The HSE states it will continue to work collaboratively with the consultative and development committees so as to maximise the funding options for the development at Lisnagry.

Deputy Power will be aware that as part of a multi-annual investment programme 2006-09, additional funding amounting to €51.5 million is being provided by this Government in 2006 to meet costs associated with the following elements of this programme in respect of services to persons with intellectual disability and those with autism: 255 new residential places, 85 new respite places, 535 new day places this year and the continuation of the implementation of the transfer of persons with intellectual disability or autism from psychiatric hospitals and other inappropriate placements.

In addition to the specific high profile disability services which are included in the programme outlined above, additional funding of €22.5 million is being provided to enhance the multidisciplinary support services for people with disabilities in line with the Government's commitment to build capacity within the health services to deliver on the various legislative provisions contained in the national disability strategy.

Furthermore, €12.5 million is being provided to enhance the level and range of multidisciplinary support services available to adults and children with intellectual, physical and sensory disabilities and those with autism, with a priority in 2006 of enhancing the assessment and support services for children with disabilities.

See this speech in context