Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether there is a lack of demographic and related information on special need prevalence, particularly in view of the broad definition of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34516/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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In January 2008 the Government announced the establishment of the Office for Disability and Mental Health to support the Minister for Disability & Mental Health in exercising responsibilities across four Government Departments: Health & Children, Education & Science, Enterprise, Trade & Employment and Justice, Equality & Law Reform.

While substantial progress has been made in recent years in the areas of disability and mental health, much remains to be done. Developing and improving an evidence base is clearly important and in the coming months the Office for Disability and Mental Health will be looking at how we can increase the range and level of information that is available across all relevant areas and how existing information can best be analysed, communicated to those who need it, and effectively applied to inform policies and decisions.