Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 79: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the failure of the Health Service Executive to provide a day care service for students with special needs who have finished their schooling on reaching 18 years of age at a special school in County Cork; if she will ensure that these most vulnerable persons will not be the victims of inadequate funding from the HSE; her views on the circumstances of a student (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26438/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The 2008 Service Plan, developed by the HSE and approved by the Minister for Health and Children, 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 the Department of Health and Children 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 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.

The HSE has informed my Department that it plans to release €20m of the €50m additional funding for Disability Services.

The Deputy's specific question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal services, which are the responsibility of the Health Services Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.