Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 248: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied regarding the adequacy of respite care for parents and carers of children and adults with special needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24501/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 251: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the extent to which she proposes to improve and extend respite care facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24504/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 253: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the extent to which she proposes to meet requirements in terms of permanent and respite places for persons with physical or sensory disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24506/07]

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 248, 251 and 253 together.

As the Deputy may be aware, additional funding of €75m for revenue purposes was provided to the Health Service Executive for Disability Services in the 2007 Budget. This amount 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, including the provision of additional resources towards respite care.

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.