Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 126: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of persons here who have a diagnosis of Rett syndrome; the range and nature of the support services in place for those persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27165/05]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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The national intellectual disability database was established in 1995 to ensure that information would be available to enable the Department of Health and Children, the Health Service Executive and the voluntary agencies in Ireland to provide appropriate services designed to meet the changing needs of people with intellectual disability and those with autism and their families. The database incorporates three basic elements of information: demographic details, current service provision and future service requirements. Information pertaining to diagnosis is specifically excluded as the database is not designed as a medical epidemiological tool.

The national intellectual disability database enables those involved with the planning and delivery of services to people with an intellectual disability and those with autism to identify not only the level of need among those awaiting placement in services but also the service changes required by those already in receipt of services. With regard to the range and nature of support services in place for persons with a diagnosis of Rett syndrome this is a matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, my Department has referred this part of the Deputy's question to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.