Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 160: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the extent of child support services available to parents of children with serious behavioural problems; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9734/05]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.

Responsibility for the provision of child support services to parents of children with serious behavioural problems rests with the executive. My Department has requested the primary, community and continuing care directorate of the Health Service Executive to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 161: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to provide enhanced support for the parents of autistic children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9735/05]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January, 2005. Under the 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 disability services.

As the Deputy may be aware, my colleague, the Minister for Finance, in his 2005 budget made available additional funding in the sum of €55 million for services to persons with an intellectual, physical or sensory disability and those with autism. Additional capital funding of €34 million has also been provided in 2005.

Furthermore, when launching the national disability strategy, the Taoiseach announced the Government's commitment to a multi-annual investment programme for disability specific services over the next five years, details of which were announced on budget day. The investment programme for disability specific services will have a total cumulative value of €900 million for the period 2006-09. It will be a matter for the Health Service Executive to allocate this funding.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 162: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans or the directions she has given to the Health Service Executive to assist parents of children with mild to severe behavioural problems; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9736/05]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to plan, manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.

Responsibility for the planning and provision of services for children with mild to severe behavioural problems rests with the executive. No ministerial directions have been issued in relation to this matter.