Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this matter.

The individual involved is 18 years old and after spending 13 years at the Nano Nagle special school in Listowel, she commenced a three-year training course at the St. John of God training centre, Ashe Street, Tralee, last September. The course deals with independent living including the use of ATM machines, shopping skills and other social skills. Her self-esteem and confidence have improved considerably and she is very happy with the course. Her parents are also very happy that she is making considerable progress.

The individual's sister has driven her to the centre every morning since she commenced the course and she was allowed to use the bus servicing St. Ita's and St. Joseph's special school in Tralee to travel home every evening. This bus collected her at the centre and the arrangement worked well. However, as St. Ita's and St. Joseph's school has now closed for the summer holidays she has no transport home in the afternoon. Her sister will not be able to drive her to the centre over the next three months as she will not be working in Tralee.

An application was made to the Health Service Executive for funding for a taxi service. However, I understand this will not be granted because it would cost too much as the individual involved lives over 13 miles from Tralee. The individual is not capable of using public transport as she is not mature enough to do so and could be vulnerable if she were to meet the wrong person. Her parents, who are very concerned, are willing to play their part but expect to receive some assistance from the State. This does not seem to be forthcoming. Surely the public finances needed to look after individuals such as the girl in question are available.

The girl wishes to complete this course. Her parents also want her to continue the training course but it now seems they may have to keep her at home and she may have to abandon her course because transport is not being provided. As I indicated, while her parents are willing to help with the transport, they are not prepared to transport her twice a day. Both of them are getting older and need some assistance in this regard. I appeal to the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher, to direct the Health Service Executive to provide the necessary assistance in this case.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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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.