Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I am pleased to take this opportunity to address the important issues raised by the Deputy. I wish to emphasise the Government's commitment to providing a high quality service to all people with a disability. This commitment is illustrated by the substantial investment we have been making in disability services over the last number of years.

The National Disability Strategy, which was launched in September 2004, reinforces equal participation in society of people with disabilities and provides for a framework of new supports for people with disabilities. This programme, together with the enhancement of other key support services, are key factors in building the additional capacity required to ensure that services best meet identified needs.

The strategy builds on a strong equality framework, which is reflected in equality legislation. It puts the policy of mainstreaming of public services for people with disabilities on a clear legal footing. The main elements of the strategy are the Disability Act 2005, the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004, sectoral plans published in 2006 by six Departments, the Citizens Information Act 2007 and the multi-annual investment programme for disability support services for the period 2006-2009.

In launching the national disability strategy, the Taoiseach also announced the Government's commitment to a multi-annual investment for disability-specific services over a five year period. To the end of 2007, €420 million, in revenue and capital, has been allocated to services for people with disabilities since the launch of the strategy in 2004.

Additional revenue funding of €50 million was provided in the 2008 budget in respect of the multi-annual investment package. This funding is to meet the costs associated with a range of elements in the multi-annual investment programme. The additional funding will continue to provide a base line to considerably enhance the multi-disciplinary support services for people with disabilities, in line with the Government's commitment to build capacity within the health services and to deliver on the various legislative provisions contained in the national disability strategy.

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