Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 130: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the extent of funding available for child protection; if this sector is adequately funded in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6888/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 131: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the action she will take to ensure that various children's services previously under resourced are not likely to be further damaged in the course of budgetary cutbacks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6889/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Children's services provided by the HSE aim to promote and protect the health and well being of vulnerable children and families. A wide range of services are provided including early years services, family support services, child protection services, alternative care, services for homeless youth, search and reunion (post adoption) services, psychological services, child and adolescent psychiatric services, registration and inspection of children's residential centres in the voluntary sector and monitoring of children's residential centres in the voluntary and statutory sectors.

The HSE service plan for 2009, which was approved by the Minister for Health and Children on 9 December 2008, envisages that Child and Family service provision in 2009 will be in line with that provided in 2008. In her letter of approval, the Minister asked the Board and management of the HSE to pay particular attention in 2009 to the absolute necessity for the HSE to operate within the limits of its Voted allocation in delivering, at minimum, the levels of service specified in the service plan. I will be working with the HSE to try to ensure that provision of these important services to some of the most vulnerable members of our society can be maintained at existing levels notwithstanding the ongoing budgetary adjustments aimed at restoring balance to the public finances. Implementation of the service plan will be monitored formally throughout 2009 by means of regular monitoring reports to the Department of Health and Children.