Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 703: To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 171 of 20 June 2006, when she will make available the findings of the strategic review of specialist health service provision for people with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1398/07]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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The commitment to carrying out a strategic review of disability services was contained in Sustaining Progress which was agreed in 2003. Since then, the National Disability Strategy has been published, including the enactment of the Disability Act 2005 and the EPSEN Act 2004. The Health Sectoral Plan on Disability was published in 2006.

There was an extensive consultation process as part of the strategic review, which was an important input to the National Disability Strategy and to the Health Sectoral Plan. My Department will be reviewing the Sectoral Plan this year and will further reflect the valuable inputs from the Strategic Review consultation process in this context. In the circumstances it is not the intention to publish a report arising from the Strategic Review.

I have allocated €100m in 2006 and a further €100m in 2007 for the continuing development of services for people with a disability. I am also working to ensure that all necessary structures will be in place to implement Part 2 of the Disability Act for the under-5 age group from 1 June 2007.

In these circumstances, my priority in 2007 will be to secure implementation of the Disability Act and to ensure that the planned developments in services for people with a disability are put in place.