Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 204: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will develop a strategy for the provision of an early intervention programme on a national scale for all children with Down's Syndrome and the improvement of speech and language services; if she will ensure the lifting of the embargo on the employment of further services; and if services generally will be improved for all children with a disability. [16113/06]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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I should make clear at the outset that there is no embargo on recruitment in the public health service. It is a matter for the Health Service Executive, as part of its management of its employment ceiling, to determine the appropriate staffing mix required to deliver its service plan priorities, including disability services. I have repeatedly stressed the need for compliance with approved employment levels consistent with safeguarding and indeed enhancing the delivery of front line services and achieving an appropriate balance between clinical and non-clinical employment levels. The Deputy will also wish to note that approved employment levels for the health service have been adjusted since 2002 in line with Government policy on public sector employment and also to take account of specific policy measures aimed at increasing service levels. My Department is currently in discussions with the Department of Finance to agree increases in the employment ceiling for the health sector including increases arising from the Disability Strategy.

With regard to the remaining issues raised by the Deputy, these matters relate to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 205: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has been waiting for almost twelve months to get an appointment with a specialist on autism for their daughter; and her views on whether the person has rights to schooling and other supports but cannot get those supports at the present time due to the failure to get an appointment with a specialist on autism. [16127/06]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.