David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when funding will be released by her Department and the Health Service Executive to enable service providers to offer adult day places and training places for people with disabilities who are more than 18 years of age and are no longer eligible for enrolment in special schools; the amount of such funding that was released in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26496/08]

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 only 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 Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.