Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. On behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, I am happy to have the opportunity to address the issue raised by Deputy Naughten as it provides an opportunity to outline to the House the position regarding the additional funding provided for services for children and adults with disabilities in 2006. Under the multi-annual investment programme 2006-09, which is part of the national disability strategy, additional funding amounting to €51.5 million is being provided by the Government in 2006 to meet costs associated with the provision of certain specific high profile disability services. With regard to services to persons with intellectual disability and those with autism, this includes 255 new residential places, 85 new respite places, 535 new day places and the continuation of the implementation of the transfer of persons with intellectual disability and autism from psychiatric hospitals and other inappropriate placements.

In addition to the services referred to above, further additional funding of €22.5 million is also being provided in 2006. This funding has been allocated to enhance the multi-disciplinary support services for children and adults with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities and those with autism, and to address core underfunding and staffing issues in services for people with disabilities provided by the voluntary sector. Capital funding amounting to €45 million has also been provided in 2006 to put in place the infrastructural supports associated with the above mentioned developments.

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

On the matter raised by the Deputy, the Health Service Executive has informed the Department of Health and Children that it is its policy to provide high quality services to people with disabilities in a timely, efficient and cost-effective manner within the resources available. The Health Service Executive further states that the planning and development of services to meet emerging needs is carried out by it at local level in partnership with all stakeholders and within the context of the totality of need in any geographical area. Service requirements in the Ballinasloe area are part of this consultation process and are considered by the Health Service Executive in line with agreed structures and resource allocation mechanisms.

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