Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the action she has taken to ensure that funding allocated to the Health Service Executive for spending on disability services is spent on those services and not diverted to other purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13334/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The National Service Plan, which sets out the quantum of services to be provided in any financial year by the Health Service Executive (HSE) out of the resources allocated to it, is the primary vehicle through which the Minister and the Department monitor and evaluate the performance of the Executive against the targets set out in the plan. The Plan is laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas.

The Department has an agreed monitoring framework with the HSE and receives detailed comprehensive monthly reports from the HSE on all aspects of progression of the National Service Plan. Quarterly 'high level' meetings take place between the Secretary General of the Department and the Chief Executive Officer of the HSE to discuss issues arising in relation to implementation and progression of the National Service Plan. In addition, there is ongoing liaison and dialogue between various sections within the Department and their corresponding directorates in the HSE. There are also 'triangular' monthly meetings held between the Department of Finance, Department of Health and Children and the HSE.

As the Deputy is aware, the Minister for Finance will be introducing a new budget on 7th April 2009 which will determine spending levels for public services including the health services the rest of the year. The Minister for Health and Children has given a commitment that she will come before the Oireachtas or the Joint Committee on Health and Children to address the situation that will arise in the health service following the introduction of the budget on the 7th April 2009.