Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 333: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the additional funding provided in 2008 for the development of services for persons with an intellectual disability in the Ballinasloe area; the total funding allocated for services in Ballinasloe in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22928/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The 2008 Service Plan, developed by the HSE and approved by me, included €50m for the development of additional disability services. The standard expenditure sanction issued to the HSE for 2008 stipulated that the prior approval of my Department and the Department of Finance would be required in the event of any proposal to spend this money for any other purpose. Clearly, it is essential that the HSE lives within its overall budget for the year. It needs to manage its activity levels and cost drivers appropriately to achieve this and I do not believe it is desirable to resort to using development funding to offset expenditure pressures arising in respect of ongoing health services. The HSE is currently reviewing its overall financial position for the year and the roll-out of planned developments in disability services is being considered in that context. I have been in communication with the HSE with a view to an early determination on the matter. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the information sought by the Deputy in relation to the named agency provided directly to the Deputy.