Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 361: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the action she will take in relation to the immediate need in 2006 for 1,763 residential places and 1,759 respite services for persons with an intellectual disability. [1354/06]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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The 2005 annual report from the national intellectual disability database committee indicates that of the additional residential and respite services required to meet the needs of those registered on the database, the majority of new services are of an immediate nature, as outlined by the Deputy. However it should also be noted that the majority of these individuals are already in receipt of a major element of service. For example, of the overall total of 2,270 people who require a major element of service in the period 2006 to 2010, 86.9% are already in receipt of at least one major element of service such as a day service.

An integral part of the national disability strategy is the multi-annual investment programme, published in December 2004 by the Government, which contains details of specific commitments regarding the provision of specific high priority disability services over the period 2006 to 2009. These commitments include the development of new residential, respite and day places for persons with intellectual disabilities and autism in each of the years covered by the programme.

Additional funding of €59 million is being provided in 2006 to meets costs associated with the various elements of this programme. This funding will be used to put in place 255 new residential places, 85 new respite places and 535 new day places for persons with an intellectual disability and those with autism, and also to progress the programme to transfer persons with intellectual disabilities and autism from psychiatric hospitals and other inappropriate placements.

In addition to the specific high profile disability services included in the programme outlined above, further additional funding of €41 million is being provided to enhance the multidisciplinary support services for people with disabilities in line with the Government's commitment to build capacity within the health services to deliver on the various legislative provisions contained in the national disability strategy. Capital funding of €55 million is also being provided in 2006 to support these developments.