David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 159: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will implement the recommendation contained in the Health Research Board publication (details supplied) regarding the merging of the national intellectual disability database and the national physical and sensory disability database; if so, the way this will be done; the timescale for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5960/10]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 160: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on developing a disability database or databases which are designed as a medical epidemiological tool and would contain details of diagnoses, more specifically to record the incidence of autism spectrum disorders in our population and to ascertain the services that are required by this section of population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5961/10]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 161: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether the recommendation contained in the Health Research Board Publication (details supplied) that her Department should work in conjunction with the Health Research Board to exploit the research potential of the existing data on disability and to use this data on disability to inform the allocation of resources, particularly the multi-annual funding; the way in which her Department is doing same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5962/10]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 to 161, inclusive, together.

The Department of Health and Children is committed, in partnership with other stakeholders, including the Health Research Board, to the development of improved health information systems including data requirements for health and personal social services for people with a disability. The development of information systems must recognise the requirements of the Disability Act 2005 and the current disability databases. I expect the outcome of the Department's Value for Money Expenditure and Policy Review of Disability Services to direct the future information requirements for the provision of health and personal services for people with a disability.

The focus of health service provision for people with a disability is not a medical diagnosis. The Disability Act provides for, among other things, an individual assessment of need, a person centred service statement and the provision of individualised supports. This policy moves away from the provision of segregated, health based, group services for people with a disability.

The National databases provide information in relation to the level of services being provided and current and future needs of people with a disability. The databases do not identify persons with specific disabilities such as Autism or Downs Syndrome.