Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive allocation of funding for people with disabilities has been released for 2008; if services have been planned and approved for funding for people with autistic spectrum disorder who are leaving schooling; if ASD placements for people with ASD who are exiting rehabilitative training have been organised and are receiving funding; if transitional facilities are in place for these people to prevent disimprovement in behaviour and quality of life for patients and their families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22385/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, 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. A further €50m investment was announced in the 2008 Budget.

At this time the HSE is still in discussion with the Department of Health and Children regarding the commencement of 2008 developments in the context of the overall financial position of the HSE. The HSE is therefore not in a position to approve the commencement of these developments until these discussions are concluded.