Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 390: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of personal advocates recruited to date; the way this compares with the overall target; and when he expects this target to be met. [30828/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The development of personal advocacy services is a priority for my Department and in this regard additional funding of €1.9m has been provided for the Citizens Information Board in 2007 for the development of an advocacy service for people with disabilities and for the implementation of the Disability Sectoral Plan.

Initially, the Personal Advocacy Service will be located in Dublin. When the service is well established, it is anticipated that advocates will be located in a number of key highly populated areas around the country. However, it is not possible at this stage to give estimates of the number of advocates to be employed.

An organisational structure has been developed by the Citizens Information Board to meet the needs of the Personal Advocacy Service. Discussions between my Department, the Department of Finance and the Citizens Information Board are ongoing in relation to these structures and the additional staffing resources required for the service. Temporary accommodation has been identified to facilitate the immediate needs of the service.

It is envisaged that the post of Director of the Personal Advocacy Service will be advertised shortly. The service will commence when the Director is appointed and the appropriate structures have been put in place. The establishment of the new service is on target to be up and running in the early part of 2008.