David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 186: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of people with intellectual disabilities who have been transferred out of psychiatric wards and other inappropriate settings in 2007 and to date in 2008; the number of people with intellectual disabilities who continue to be accommodated in inappropriate settings; when she expects the process of transferring all people with intellectual disabilities to more suitable and appropriate care locations to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24809/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The National Intellectual Disability Database (NIDD) report for 2007 identified 329 individuals with intellectual disability, all aged 20 years or over, as being accommodated in psychiatric hospitals. It should be noted that registration on the NIDD is voluntary. An integral part of the National Disability Strategy is the Multi-Annual Investment Programme, (MAIP), announced in the 2005 Budget, which provides €900m for the provision of specific high priority disability services over the period 2006 to 2009. MAIP commitments include the development of new residential, respite and day places for persons with intellectual disability and autism in each of the years covered by the programme as well as the transfer of persons with intellectual disability or autism from psychiatric hospitals and other inappropriate placements.

The Deputy's specific question in relation to the progress and details of the programme to move those individuals to more appropriate accommodation, relate 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 these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.