Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 213: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm that the Health Service Executive are allowing buses which carry adults with intellectual disability to training centres, workshops, and day activity units to travel throughout the country without proper escorts; if she will confirm that this practice is taking place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20575/06]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 214: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the action she has taken to implement the National Disability Authority's National Standards for Disability Services; the action she has taken to put in place the relevant authority to oversee the standards for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20576/06]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Draft National Standards for Disability Services developed jointly by the Department of Health and Children and the National Disability Authority have been received by the Minister who has referred them to the interim Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) for attention.

As the Deputy may be aware a public consultation process on the draft Heads and General Scheme of the Health Bill 2006 which provides for the establishment of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and the Office of the Chief Inspector of Social Services, as an office within HIQA, on a statutory basis, concluded on Friday 26th May, 2006. The draft Heads of the Bill provide for:

—the establishment of HIQA,

—the establishment, within HIQA, of the Office of the Chief Inspector of Social Services,

—the establishment of a registration system for residential services for children in need of care and protection, for persons with disabilities and for older people.

It is intended to bring the final draft Scheme and Heads of a Bill to Government as soon as possible to seek approval to draft the Bill. It is intended to bring the Bill before the Oireachtas later in the year.