Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Murnane O'Connor for raising this very important issue regarding disability services. I also want to welcome the fact that she has raised the issue of funding for Holy Angels Day Care Centre. I would like to outline the current position on this important matter.Health capital funding was outlined in the recently published, public Estimates for 2018, and the HSE is currently developing its capital plan for 2018 to 2021. A project brief for the replacement children's disability services, to include the Holy Angels preschool element, was submitted to the national HSE capital steering group which agreed to recommend the project, in principle, subject to amendments to the brief and the preschool element. The revised brief and schedule of accommodation was subsequently submitted to the national capital steering group in September 2017 for noting at the next capital steering group meeting. I understand that the October 2017 meeting has been rescheduled to the first quarter of 2018 and the date remains to be confirmed. Following the meeting in early 2018 the prioritisation and funding allocation of this project will be considered in relation to other service priorities and projects already approved. Minor capital funding has been made available to undertake the essential maintenance on the existing premises and those minor capital works were completed.

The HSE has recognised that the first class early intervention services and service for school age children with disabilities are paramount. We accept that argument. The HSE is currently engaged in the reconfiguration of the existing therapy resources under the national programme on progressing disability services for children and young people up to 18 years. The aims of the programme are to bring about equity of access to disability services and consistency of service delivery with the clear pathway for children and their families to disability services regardless of where they live, what school the child attends and the nature of the individual child's difficulties. Significant resources have been invested by the health sector in disability services in recent years, including the additional €31 million secured last year. I will bring back Senator Murnane O'Connor's concerns to the Department, the HSE and the Minister. As she said, €150,000 was provided as an interim measure and we do need to act on this matter.