Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will respond to correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36826/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The National Disability Strategy is a priority for this Government. This is evidenced by the commitments in the renewed Programme for Government to prioritise the interests of people with a disability and advance the National Disability Strategy.

The Government has demonstrated its commitment to people with disabilities by providing additional funding of €10 million in 2009 for the provision of 125 additional therapy posts (speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and social workers) in disability and mental health services targeted at children with disabilities of school-going age. These posts have now been allocated to priority areas of need identified by the Health Service Executive, in particular to address gaps in existing services for children with disabilities. A recruitment process is well underway and the majority of these posts will be filled this month with the remainder to be filled in December.

As part of the Government's Value for Money and Policy Reviews for 2009-2011, a Review of the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Disability Services in Ireland is being undertaken. This in-depth review of Disability Services will assess how well current services for people with disabilities meet their objectives and support the future planning and development of services. The evaluation will focus on the current provision of disability services and explore the way forward for the development of services within a value for money and policy framework. The objectives of the Review are to

Examine disability services in Ireland funded by the HSE, including the statutory and non-statutory sectors.

Deliver a comprehensive analysis of data in relation to services and service providers.

Review current policy objectives and provide policy objectives for future service provision

I expect the review to develop proposals to achieve optimal effectiveness and efficiency with the existing substantial resources expended on health and personal services for people with a disability. A structured consultation process with both service users and service providers will be an integral part of the Review. I met with Inclusion Ireland yesterday following their press conference and encouraged them to start formulating their views and documenting any examples of best practice, efficiencies and effectiveness which should be brought to the attention of the review project team.