Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her view on whether in cases of Down's syndrome, early intervention is crucial to ensure permanent problems are avoided and to ensure the best start possible for the children involved and further to ensure a good grounding is given for a difficult life ahead; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34753/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Disability Act 2005 remains one of the central components of the National Disability Strategy. While the legislation was sponsored by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Department of Health and Children, together with the Health Service Executive, are charged with specific statutory duties, most notably concerning the implementation of Part 2 of the Act.

As the Deputy is aware, intervention early in life can have a significant impact on the disabling effects of a condition or impairment. In recognition of this, Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 was commenced for children aged under 5 years with effect from 1 June 2007. This entitles parents of young children with disabilities to an independent assessment of their children's health and education needs and a statement of the services which it is proposed to provide for them. To date over 2,800 applications for an assessment of need have been received and are being processed by the HSE.

It is proposed that Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 will be further commenced for children aged 5 to 18 in tandem with the implementation of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. In preparation for its implementation, health related support services for children aged 5 to 18 continue to be enhanced and strengthened to enable the Health Service Executive to meet needs identified for this group.

Proposals for implementation are continually under scrutiny and take place in the context of the Annual Estimates process.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 101: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway has not had speech and language therapy, physiotherapy or regular hearing tests to date; and when these services will be provided for them. [34754/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy's 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.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the waiting list for speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and hearing tests for children in the Knocknacarra area of Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34755/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy's 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.