David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 268: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the situation to date regarding the multi-annual capital programme for disability specific services within the overall system of five year multi-annual capital envelopes that was introduced in Budget 2004; the situation regarding the multi-annual funding package for current expenditure; the overall spend by the State on disability services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11685/07]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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Between 1997-2007 the Government has invested additional funding of €926m in health funded support services for people with disabilities of which additional revenue and capital funding of €603m has been provided for services for persons with intellectual disability and autism. Approximately €323m in additional revenue and capital funding has been provided for services for people with physical or sensory disabilities.

In the Estimates for 2006 the Government published a multi-annual investment programme for disability specific services which would have total cumulative value close to €900m for the period 2006 to 2009. This funding was in addition to the €85m capital and revenue funding provided for disability services in 2005. By the end of this programme these monies are expected to provide 1,290 additional new residential places, 430 new respite places and 2,540 new day places for Intellectual Disability Services and 380 new residential and 1,200,000 extra hours for Physical and Sensory Disability Services.

Under the multi-annual investment programme 2006-2009 €45m capital monies has been allocated in each year of the programme to disability services. The allocation of both the revenue and capital funding under the investment package is 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.