Maria Corrigan (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State for one of the most comprehensive replies we have received on the Adjournment. I ask him to convey to the Minister that while I welcome the HSE's proposals for the allocation of the additional €50 million, I ask that she use her influence to ensure the money is spent on the proposed projects. I am conscious that moneys allocated in the previous year's budget for mental health services, particularly in regard to people with physical and sensory disabilities, were not used for that purpose even though specific projects were proposed and great detail was provided in respect of each of them. The funding was not assigned because the HSE had identified other priorities for which the money was required.

The projects to which the Minister of State referred are worthy and will have a significant impact. I am delighted that the new service level agreements will include the requirement that there be procedures in place for the management of allegations of abuse. When the chief executive officer of the HSE, Professor Drumm, was in Leinster House for the last HSE briefing for female Members, I was shocked by his statement that there was currently no obligation in the service level agreements in respect of either quality of service or the management of allegations of abuse. I welcome the developments in this regard to which the Minister of State referred.