Written answers

Tuesday, 5 October 2004

Department of Health and Children

Services for People with Disabilities

9:00 pm

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 390: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the role her Department will play in supervising and monitoring the disability package announced by the Government on 21 September 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23795/04]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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With reference to the supervision and monitoring of the various elements of the disability strategy which were announced on 21 September, there are a number of measures which my Department is taking to begin the implementation, in particular, of those elements directly relevant to the health service.

The outline sectoral plan for my Department, which was published as part of the strategy, was an interim one and will be the subject of consultation with the various relevant groups with an interest in the area of disability before it is finalised for submission to the Oireachtas in accordance with the provisions of the Bill. A number of the actions contained in the outline sectoral plan are already in progress, for example, the strategic review of disability services and the development of a national policy framework for mental health services which is being prepared by the expert group on mental health policy.

Officials from my Department are also working with the interim HSE, the health boards and the National Council for Special Education with regard to the arrangements necessary to support the implementation of the provisions of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004.

My Department is also working on the details of the specific monitoring mechanisms which will be directly related to the multi-annual investment programme which is part of the current Estimates and budget discussions with the Department of Finance.

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