Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 222: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the role her Department plays in the provision of education for children with special needs particularly autism and related conditions; if her attention has been drawn to the position of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 who is urgently awaiting a place at the special unit built in a school; the reason this facility remains unopened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17944/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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As the Deputy is aware the education of a child, irrespective of their disability, is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Education and Science. Where applicable my Department, through the Health Service Executive, supply support services to enable the particular person to avail fully of the educational system being offered.

With regard to the funding of health related services, an additional sum of €75 million for revenue purposes was provided to the Health Service Executive for Disability Services in the 2007 Budget. This sum incorporates the 2007 element of the Government's multi-annual investment programme for the National Disability Strategy. This Strategy is committed to enhancing the level and range of multi-disciplinary support services to adults and children with an intellectual, physical and sensory disability and those with autism.

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.

John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the directive she has issued to her Department officials to provide funding for health services in Tubbercurry for a new social project (details supplied) as there is a provision in this development for special needs units; if extra nursing posts or primary community and continuing care posts will be made available; if there are plans to decentralise the Health Service Executive, Tubbercurry to this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17949/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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As the Deputy may be aware, an additional sum of €75 million for revenue purposes was provided to the Health Service Executive for Disability Services in the 2007 Budget. This sum incorporates the 2007 element of the Government's multi-annual investment programme for the National Disability Strategy. This Strategy is committed to enhancing the level and range of multi-disciplinary support services to adults and children with an intellectual, physical and sensory disability and those with autism.

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, including the provision of funding for a health facility in Tubbercurry, 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.