Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I am pleased to take this opportunity to address the important issues raised by Deputy Deenihan. I emphasise the Government's commitment to providing a high-quality service to all those with a disability. This commitment is illustrated by the substantial investment we have made in disability services in recent years. Between 1997 and 2006, additional revenue and capital funding of €851 million was invested in health funded support services for people with disabilities, of which €549 million was provided for persons with an intellectual disability and those with autism.

A sum of €75 million for revenue purposes was provided for disability services in the 2007 budget, of which €41 million was provided for people with intellectual disability and those with autism. This sum incorporates the 2007 element of the Government's multi-annual investment programme for the national disability strategy, which is committed to providing approximately €900 million capital and revenue funding over the period from 2005 to 2009. The €41 million will provide 255 new residential places, 85 new respite places and 535 new day service places. This funding includes €2.2 million for the transfer of persons with an intellectual disability or autism from settings which are inappropriate to their needs.

The priority in 2007 is on enhancing the assessment and support services for children with disabilities. 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.

On the matter raised by the Deputy, I understand from the Health Service Executive that the St. John of God, Kerry, services are not funded directly to provide transport to and from the home locations of their service users. Consequently, many service users and their families access funding for transport from the community welfare department of the Health Service Executive, southern region, to fund private transport arrangements such as taxis, depending on the individual's circumstances and-or location. The executive has also advised that the person referred to by the Deputy in details supplied has applied to the community welfare officer for the Health Service Executive's southern region in Tralee and the matter is under active consideration.

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