Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

I thank Senator McHugh for raising this matter as it provides me with an opportunity to outline to the House the position regarding the additional funding provided for services for children and adults with disabilities in 2006.

Under the multi-annual investment programme 2006-09, which is part of the national disability strategy, additional funding amounting to €51.5 million is being provided by the Government in 2006 to meet costs associated with the provision of certain specific high profile disability services. In regard to services for persons with intellectual disability and those with autism, this includes 255 new residential places; 85 new respite places; 535 new day places; and the continuation of the implementation of the transfer of persons with intellectual disability-autism from psychiatric hospitals and other inappropriate placements.

In addition to the services mentioned above, further additional 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 and to address core underfunding and core staffing issues in services for people with disabilities provided by the voluntary sector. This additional funding is in line with the Government's commitment to enhance multi-disciplinary support services for people with disabilities and increase the capacity of the health services to deliver on the various legislative provisions contained in the national disability strategy.

Capital funding amounting to €45 million has also been provided in 2006 to support additional places in services for persons with a physical, sensory or intellectual disability or autism. The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under this Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver or arrange to be delivered on its behalf health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the provision of services to young people who suffer from Asperger's syndrome.

I am advised that the Health Service Executive provides a continuum of service provision for children with Asperger's syndrome, including family support services and pre-school assistant services, specialised multi-disciplinary teams where required, residential services, respite and other services. This continuum of services is based on assessed need and prioritised in a manner which is consistent with available resources. The Health Service Executive states that the provisions of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004, when implemented, will facilitate the provision of health-related supports in the school setting where these are deemed to be necessary for young people to achieve their educational outcome.

According to the Health Service Executive, there is also a continuum of service provision for persons aged over 18 years with Asperger's syndrome, including specialised multi-disciplinary teams, day services, residential services, respite and other services based on assessed need and prioritised consistent with available resources. The Senator may be aware that there is a range of other supports required in the areas of housing, welfare and employment for people with Asperger's syndrome which do not come within the remit of the health system.