Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 222: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will increase the funding available to the Health Service Executive north eastern region in order to prioritise autism assessments for pre-school children in County Meath; the numbers waiting for this service; if she will increase the staff numbers in order to clear existing back logs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25062/07]

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to providing a high quality service to all people with a disability as illustrated by the substantial investment in the disability sector over the last number of years. As part of this commitment, the National Disability Strategy was launched in September 2004. It provides for a framework of new supports for people with disabilities and puts the policy of mainstreaming of public services for people with disabilities, which was adopted by Government in 2000, on a legal footing. The Disability Act 2005 is a central element of the National Disability Strategy. The Act is a positive measure designed to advance and underpin participation by people with disabilities in everyday life.

Part 2 of the Act commenced for children with a disability, including those with autism, aged under 5 years with effect from 1st June 2007 and provides for an independent assessment of need for such persons and for a formal statement of the services that will be provided to them arising from the assessment. This prioritisation reflects the importance of intervention early in life, which can have a significant impact on the disabling effects of a condition or impairment.

As the Deputy may be aware, a sum of €75m 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, among other services, 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 Services Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department had 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.

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of clients in each Health Service Executive area waiting for methadone treatment for each clinic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25063/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The 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 the specific matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 224: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of clients in each Health Service Executive area being treated at each methadone clinic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25064/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The 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 the specific matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 225: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the best advice in order to assist a group (details supplied). [25102/07]

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. The Executive, therefore, is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.