Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I join the Leas-Chathoirleach's welcome to a former Member of both Houses.

I wish to deal with the matter raised by Senator Ulick Burke on the Adjournment. I wish to outline the position regarding the additional funding provided for services for children and adults with a disability in 2006, as well as funding specifically provided to the Brothers of Charity in respect of services in Galway.

The matter of contracting and funding services provided by organisations such as the Brothers of Charity is a matter for the Health Service Executive in accordance with its functions under the Health Act 2004. The executive has advised the Minister that it is unaware of any existing or proposed curtailment of services provided by the Brothers of Charity in Ballinasloe. The executive has confirmed that in its 2006 service plan, a sum of €40 million was assigned to the Brothers of Charity services in Galway, of which €3.2 million was allocated to the services provided by the organisation at Ballinasloe.

In addition, more than €1 million in new service development money for 2006 was allocated by the executive to the Brothers of Charity services in Galway, which will increase to €1.2 million in a full year. This funding comes from the multi-annual investment programme for 2006 to 2009, which is part of the national disability strategy being implemented by the Government.

Additional funding amounting to €51.5 million has been provided by the Government in 2006 to develop services for persons with intellectual disability and those with autism. This has enabled the provision of 255 new residential places, 85 new respite places, 535 new day places, 250,000 extra hours of home support and personal assistance services and the continuation of the transfer of persons with intellectual disability or autism from psychiatric hospitals and other inappropriate placements.

Further substantial funding of €22.5 million has been provided in 2006 to enhance the multidisciplinary support services for children and adults with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities, as well as those with autism. The funding will also address core underfunding and staffing issues in services for people with disabilities provided by the voluntary sector.

Capital funding amounting to €45 million has also been provided in 2006 to develop the buildings and facilities for the new services. I believe that the extent of this extra funding — a total of €119 million this year alone — clearly illustrates the Government's commitment to improving our disability services, including those provided by the Brothers of Charity.