Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I will outline to the House the position regarding the provision of occupational therapy services and additional funding provided for services for children and adults with a disability in 2006. I thank Deputy Kehoe for raising this matter on the Adjournment and I am making the reply on behalf of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney.

The question of providing therapy services is a matter for the Health Service Executive in accordance with its functions under the Health Act 2004. The executive has advised the Minister that in regard to occupational therapy in the Wexford region, there are two approved posts for senior paediatric occupational therapists. One post has been filled and that therapist concentrates on early intervention services. In the past year, Wexford Community Services has experienced difficulties in appointing a second occupational therapist due to a shortage of skilled staff at national level. The Minister is pleased that she has been informed by the HSE in Wexford that it has secured the services of a suitably qualified therapist, who was appointed in mid-August. The appointment of a second therapist will, in time, alleviate the waiting list pressure that has built up for this service.

Three new occupational therapy courses commenced in the 2003-04 academic year in University College Cork, the National University of Ireland, Galway, and the University of Limerick. In total, these courses provide an additional 75 training places. This expansion in training numbers has been identified in the Peter Bacon and Associates report commissioned by the Department, entitled Current and Future Demand Conditions in the Labour Market for Certain Professional Therapists, as being sufficient to meet the long-term requirements for occupational therapists. Therapists currently qualifying from these courses will address staff shortages.

The Minister would like to take this opportunity to highlight the 2006-09 multi-annual investment programme for people with disabilities, which is part of the national disability strategy being implemented by the Government. Additional funding of €51.5 million has been provided by the Government in 2006 to develop services for persons with intellectual disabilities. Further substantial funding of €22.5 million is also being provided in 2006 to enhance the multi-disciplinary support services for children and adults with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities and those with autism. The funding will also help 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 been provided also in 2006 to develop the buildings and facilities for the new services. The extent of this extra funding, a total of €119 million this year alone, is clearly a strong illustration of the Government's commitment to improve our disability services nationwide.

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