Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 359: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the recommendations will be put in place in relation to the National Disability Authority's Standards In-Care document, which was presented to her in April 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35342/06]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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I presume the Deputy is referring to the National Standards for Disability Services (NSDS), which my Department has developed in partnership with the National Disability Authority (NDA) in consultation with people with disabilities, their families, carers, service providers, health services providers and other stakeholders. These standards are designed to ensure that services are provided to an agreed level of quality and that the level of quality is consistent on a national basis. It is proposed that the standards will apply to a range of services for people with disabilities as funded by the Health Service Executive.

The draft NSDS are being considered within the framework of the Health Services Reform Programme. A critical element in this process is the establishment of the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA). The new Health Bill currently being drafted to underpin the Health Reform Programme will include provision for the establishment of HIQA on a statutory basis. The establishment of HIQA as a key part of the architecture of planning and developing health and personal social services in Ireland will promote a continuous quality improvement ethos in the health system. The development and implementation of the NSDS is a central element of the process. Meanwhile, the draft NSDS have been forwarded to the interim HIQA for its consideration. The implementation process for the NSDS will necessarily involve an incremental process of planning, training and implementation over the coming years.