Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Question 379: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her proposals to implement a code of practice that incorporates employment rights for persons with an intellectual disability in sheltered employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23178/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The establishment of the Office for Disability and Mental Health was announced by the Taoiseach on Wednesday 30th January 2008. The Office will support me as the Minister of State for Disability and Mental Health at the Department of Health and Children in exercising my responsibilities in four Government Departments, namely the Departments of Health and Children; Justice, Equality and Law Reform; Education and Science; and Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

The Office will focus on supporting the implementation of the Health Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act and will facilitate the delivery of integrated health and education support services for children with special needs. The Office will also support the development of training and employment support services for people with a disability.

As the Deputy is aware, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has recently established a National Review Group to carry out a Strategic Review of HSE funded Adult Day Services for People with Disabilities including Sheltered work.

This review will identify the range, configuration and objectives of future adult day services that are most appropriate to the needs of people with disabilities and the statutory responsibilities of the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive.

This process aims to produce a clear outline of service model/s that will be reflective of the principles of the Health Strategy — Access, Quality, Accountability and Person Centredness. The Code of Practice will be considered in this context.