Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 295: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her proposals in regard to core funding for community employment staff supporting essential services (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5355/06]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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In the Estimates for 2006, which were recently published, significant additional funding was included for the improvement of health services for people with disabilities.

As part of this provision, funding is being made available to address core under-funding and core staffing issues in services provided by the non-statutory sector. The Health Service Executive will be asked to allocate this funding on an equitable basis, having regard to the needs of people with disabilities. I expect that the executive's consideration of these needs will take into account those services which are currently staffed through community employment schemes.