Written answers

Tuesday, 6 July 2010

Department of Health and Children

Health Services

10:00 am

Photo of Pat BreenPat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 260: To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No 136 of the 13 May 2010; the efforts being made to re-open a facility (details supplied); the discussions she has had in respect of this matter. [29752/10]

Photo of John MoloneyJohn Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that I met with the Health Service Executive (HSE) Assistant National Director responsible for disability services on a number of occasions in recent weeks to discuss the emerging difficulties in the voluntary intellectual disability sector.

I have asked the HSE to confirm that the reduction in financial allocations to the voluntary agencies in the disability sector has been applied consistently across all HSE regions and in line with the reductions applied elsewhere in the health services. Furthermore, I have requested that the HSE validate, as a matter of urgency, the methodology used to calculate the reductions in allocations for the various agencies. I have also requested details of those service providers who are continuing to provide respite services, despite the reduction in their allocation, in order to determine the factors which lead to a decision on the part of a service provider to reduce or close respite services.

With respect to the Bawnmore services, preliminary data provided indicates that the funding reductions implemented by HSE West are in line with the budget reductions applied to HSE services generally and do not compare unfavourably with the average figures presented for the HSE Section 38 agencies nationally.

The overall budget for the Brothers of Charity services in the Limerick area is €25 million. The Brothers have indicated that the respite service can be largely restored for €150,000 in the current year. The HSE has given a commitment to continuing to actively engage with the Brothers of Charity services locally.

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