Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the way the funding announced in the budget for implementing the Disability Act 2005 will be used; if she will ensure that a child (details supplied) in County Galway with Down's syndrome will get the supports they need at the time in their development when they need them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36377/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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One of the principal elements of the National Disability Strategy is the Disability Act 2005. Part 2 of the Disability Act provides people with disabilities with an entitlement to: an independent assessment of their health and education needs; a statement of the services it is proposed to provide; pursue a complaint through the HSE complaints process if necessary; and make an appeal to the independent Disability Appeals Officer. Part 2 of the Act commenced for children aged under 5 years with effect from 1st June 2007. Children under 5 years were chosen as a priority for the introduction of the assessment of need process under the Disability Act because of the importance of intervention early in life. This can have a significant impact on the disabling effects of a condition or impairment.

In Budget 2009, an additional €10m was allocated to the HSE to enable further progress to be made in this vital area. The funding will provide for an additional 125 therapy posts in the HSE targeted at children of school-going age. 90 of these 125 additional posts will be allocated to disability services, including speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists. 35 additional posts will be provided for child and adolescent mental health services, including clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, and speech and language therapists for new and existing multi-disciplinary teams.

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which under the Health Act, 2004 are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. 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.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that adequate funding is allocated to a service provider for persons with intellectual disabilities (details supplied) in County Limerick recognising that allocations over a number of years have not been in accordance with the amount needed to provide the level of service undertaken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36378/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which under the Health Act, 2004 are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. 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.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the €50 million multi-annual funding, promised in 2004, has been made available to the disability sector for 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36383/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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In recent years, very significant additional resources has been provided by the Government for services and supports in the Disability area. The Multi-Annual Investment Programme, which is a key component of the Government's Disability Strategy, will by the end of 2008 have provided for 980 new residential places; 313 new respite places, and 2,505 new day places for the intellectual disability service, and 300 new residential places, and 950,000 extra home care/personal assistance hours; for people with physical and sensory disabilities.

Funding was also provided for the targeted transfer of persons with intellectual disability/autism from psychiatric hospitals and other inappropriate placements. Since 2006, over €550m has been allocated to the HSE under the Multi-Annual Investment Programme, of which €425 million was for disability services and €125 million for Mental Health.

In Budget 2009, an additional €10m was allocated to the HSE. This funding will provide for 125 additional therapy posts in the disability and mental health services, targeted at children of school-going age. These funds will be ring-fenced for this purpose in the HSE's letter of allocation, along the lines used for disability development funding in 2008. 90 of these additional 125 posts will be provided in the disability service area. In the light of the current financial circumstances, no additional MAIP funding has been allocated in 2009.