Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 401: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if funding for personal assistant hours in a centre (details supplied) will be reviewed in view of the fact that same has been withdrawn recently; if she has received communication from persons who are directly affected by this decision; her plans to address this issue in early date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27548/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Multi Annual Investment Programme for Disability Services makes provision for the development of additional residential, respite places and day care places each year between 2006 and 2009 for people with Intellectual Disability and Autism and additional residential care and home support services for people with physical and sensory disabilities. €50m was provided to the Health Service Executive (HSE) in 2008 to fund a range of additional services under the Multi Annual Investment Programme for Disability.

As the Deputy will be aware, the commencement of the planned developments in disability services this year had been delayed due to a financial review in the HSE. However, I am pleased to be able to inform the Deputy that the HSE has assured me that it is now in a position to roll out the planned developments as outlined in its 2008 Service Plan.

Planned services include additional residential, day care — including training places — and respite care places for people with intellectual disability and autism; additional residential care and home support services for people with physical and sensory disabilities; and additional multi-disciplinary therapy posts to provide assessment and ongoing intervention services to children with a disability. I understand that the HSE hopes to be able to finalise the position in relation to the commencement of such developments over the next week.

From the information provided by the Deputy, my Department is unable to locate any communication in relation to the Centre for Independent Living. However, should the Deputy forward a copy of the communication referred to in the question, I will arrange for my Department to investigate the matter. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the other issue raised by the Deputy investigated and to have a reply issued directly to him.