Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 90: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the intention of the Health Service Executive to withdraw the services of the occupational therapist from a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will liaise with the HSE to ensure such services are retained. [17057/08]

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 93: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will request the Health Service Executive to restore full paediatric occupational therapy services at a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny without delay. [17062/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 93 together.

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 5s 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.