Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I accept some of the points raised by the Deputy and will not defend the HSE regarding some of the unacceptable responses all Members receive. If the Deputy is correct, services should not relate to where one lives. However, considerable improvements have taken place in services for people with a disability. For example, between 1997 and 2005 additional revenue and capital funding of €464 million was provided for persons with intellectual disability and autism. This is not acknowledged in the article the Deputy cited.

The Government provided additional revenue funding of €74 million in 2006 for services for people with physical, sensory and intellectual disability and those with autism. The priority this year is to enhance the assessment and support services for children with disabilities. In particular, these moneys are to meet the costs associated with the commitments in the multiannual investment programme for specific high priority disability services. This will also help to build the additional capacity in multidisciplinary and other support services required under the Disability Act 2005 and the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004.

With regard to the specific services raised by the Deputy, I understand from the HSE that the relevant services in County Kildare are provided in the north of the county by a partnership arrangement between the HSE and the St. John of God services at St. Raphael's Celbridge and in the south of the county in a partnership arrangement between the HSE, Kare and Moore Abbey.

I also understand that the service in west Dublin and south Kildare has developed extensively in recent months but it has proved difficult for logistical reasons to achieve similar progress in north Kildare. The HSE has assured me it will work closely with the St. John of God service to develop early learning services in order that it can attain the type of provision available in south Kildare. The HSE and St. John of God are committed to developing a holistic service that meets children's needs in the area.

The development of high quality services, available on an equitable and equally accessible basis, throughout the country is an important objective of the Minister and HSE. I am confident that, over time, the varying levels of service provision will be standardised and that the HSE, as a single national organisation, will achieve this objective.

I draw the Deputy's attention to the Disability Act, Part 2 of which will be commenced on 1 June next for children under five years. This Part entitles people with a disability to an assessment of need and to a formal statement of services to be provided. It will offer greater certainty and consistency in the level and type of services available for children in the circumstances outlined by the Deputy. I will draw the Minister's attention to the cases raised by the Deputy.

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