John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I will try to respond to all the specific issues mentioned. I note the sincerity of Deputies Lynch and O'Sullivan, although I am not too surprised by Deputy Shatter looking at another issue which is not relevant. I am not into perceptions or pretence and I stand over what is on the website. I do not believe in the nonsense of creating another row as I am more concerned with the central issue. I wish Deputy Shatter could be also but I am not sure about it.

I stand over the funding announced last night in response to Adjournment matters. I agree with Deputies O'Sullivan and Lynch in that if funding is allocated under a specific heading for disability, it should be ring-fenced for the area. As a Minister of State or otherwise, I have always felt like that. While I was on the committee dealing with health issues, we met with representatives of disability groups many times and we felt the same.

I am aware of similar letters detailing issues in my constituency so I do not need to be here responding on the matter to be able to work out what are the true issues on the ground. It is unfortunate — the best word which can be used — that people should have to wait for so long. I will have to read the official script but at the same time it is better to look at the programme which was committed to with the €50 million, or the 200 new residential places and the 487 day places, along with other specifics. These are the figures committed to under the current funding. What was proposed for disabilities remains intact.

I regret that it takes ten days for the letters to go out. However, what is being committed to will be followed up on. For those people contacted by the voluntary groups to suggest there may not be places, this is the figure involved to resolve the problem.

I must go through the official script to respond specifically to the queries. I am pleased to take this opportunity to address the important issues raised by Deputies Shatter and O'Sullivan. I will explain about development funding first. The multi-annual investment programme for disability services makes provision for the development of additional day, residential and respite places each year between 2006 and 2009 for people with intellectual disability and autism. Some €50 million was provided to the HSE in 2008 to fund a range of additional services under the multi-annual investment programme for disability. This €50 million is a response to allegations suggesting this Government is uncaring.

With regard to the remarks about the Taoiseach, he ensured this funding would go to that specific centre. As the Deputies will be aware, the commencement of the planned developments in disability services this year had been delayed due to a financial review in the HSE. However, I am pleased to be able to inform the House that the HSE has assured me that it is now in a position to roll out the planned developments as outlined in its 2008 service plan.

I do not know who Deputy Shatter rang but I will put on record the facts I have and believe. If somebody in the HSE told him the opposite, I advise Deputy Shatter to check out who that was. I am giving him the facts as they stack up for me.

See this speech in context