David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 168 of 19 December 2007, if the draft national standards for services for people with disabilities will be available for public consultation in the second quarter of 2008; the persons who, in addition to the National Disability Authority, were involved in drafting these standards; when she expects these standards to come into effect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2556/08]

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the draft National Standards for services for people with disabilities, which were produced by my Department in association with the National Disability Authority (NDA) were forwarded to the interim Health Information and Quality Authority (iHIQA) in March 2005.

Following the statutory establishment of HIQA, the development of standards is a matter for that Authority. However I can tell the Deputy that a 'Standards Advisory Group' was put in place by HIQA to consider the development of service specific standards including residential and community based services for people with disabilities in residential centres. The membership of the Standards Advisory Group is representative of a broad range of agencies and advocates within the disability sector. The membership includes the National Disability Authority, Not for Profit Business Association, Inclusion Ireland, National Parents and Siblings Alliance, the Life Sharing Alliance, People with Disabilities in Ireland, Health Service Executive, Psychological Society of Ireland, National Economic and Social Council, National Federation of Voluntary Bodies, St Joseph's Parents Association, the Disability Federation of Ireland, An Bord Altranais, Mental Health Commission, HIQA, a number of service users and my Department.

In tandem with the development of service specific standards, I understand that HIQA is due to commence recruiting and training of personnel to build capacity to be in a position, when appropriate, to carry out inspections of services. I understand that a set of draft standards will be available for public consultation in the second quarter of 2008 and completed later in the year. A published set of standards is expected by the end of 2008.