Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 76: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Cork, who has been referred to the regional autistic spectrum disorder service for assessment and has been given a priority status on the waiting list due to a sibling of the student already having a diagnosis of autism, has been informed that though on a priority waiting list they will be waiting for over two years for an assessment; her views on whether this is an acceptable level of service; the steps she proposes to take to expedite an appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17015/08]

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the Multi-Annual Investment Programme 2006-2009 under the Disability Strategy, the Government provided the Health Service Executive with an additional €75m in both 2006 and 2007. This funding included monies to provide new and enhanced services for people with disabilities, to implement Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005, which came into effect on June 1st 2007 for the under 5's and also for the continuation of the implementation of the transfer of persons with intellectual disability from psychiatric hospitals and other inappropriate placements.

The Government is also honouring its promise in relation to the Multi-Annual Investment Programme for people with disabilities, with a further €50m investment which was announced in the 2008 Budget.

The Deputy's specific 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.