Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 14: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cross Departmental co-operation between his Department and the Department of Health and Children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43288/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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My Department works in close co-operation with other Government departments and their agencies in carrying out its responsibilities in the provision of income support and other services. This co-operation includes participation in working committees and groups, collaborative working on a bilateral basis in pursuit of specific Government policy objectives and liaison on day to day matters which arise in the administration of my Department's services.

There are several formal arrangements in place with the Department of Health and Children in relation to major Government initiatives and in line with commitments in my Department's Statement of Strategy 2005- 2007, in its Disability Sectoral Plan and in the social partnership agreement Towards 2016.

My Department participates in a number of groups, chaired by the Department of Health and Children, that are examining disability issues. These include, the Costs of Disability Group and the National Co-ordinating Committee for Training and Work for People with Disabilities. A Protocol agreed between the two Departments identifies the key shared objectives to be achieved by both in relation to people with disabilities. Progress is monitored by regular bi-lateral meetings.

There is close and ongoing co-operation between my Department and the Department of Health in implementing the recommendation made in the Core Functions of the Health Service Report. This will involve inter alia the transfer of certain functions including the supplementary welfare allowance scheme (SWA), and other cost of disability and caring payments, from Health Service Executive (HSE) to my Department.

A number of working groups which include senior officials from my Department and the Department of Health & Children and the HSE have been set up to progress the transfer arrangements. The work is overseen by an interdepartmental steering group chaired by my Department.

The SWA scheme is administered on my behalf by the Community Welfare Service of the HSE. Officials of my Department works directly with the Health Service Executive in relation to the administration of the SWA scheme.

My Department supports the Department of Health and Children in progressing the National Longitudinal Study of Children in Ireland and participates in the steering Group which is overseeing the study, the Project Team which is managing it, and in the Scientific and Policy Advisory Group.

Furthermore, officials participate in a number of committees and working groups established by the Office of the Minister for Children to progress the National Children's Strategy.

Both Departments worked together with the Department of Finance and the Department of an Taoiseach in relation to the issue on Long Term Care which is being considered by the Government at present. Further co-operation is planned in relation to the National Carers Strategy to be developed by my Department in line with the Government's commitments in Towards 2016.

The Office for Social Inclusion (OSI) works closely with the Social Inclusion Unit in the Department of Health and Children on the development of the Government's National Action Plan for Social Inclusion. My Department is fully committed to ongoing co-operation with other Government Departments and agencies in the development of my Department's services and to achieve Government objectives. Our overall aim is to ensure that people will have sufficient income and opportunity to participate in the social and economic life of the country and quality integrated public services to enhance their quality of life and well-being.