Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 187: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will consider the points raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45168/10]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to assure the Deputy that the contribution made by voluntary service providers to the provision of services to people with disabilities throughout the country is recognised and valued. I am also very much aware of the challenges service providers are experiencing in meeting the needs of service users and the particular difficulties facing all health services. In light of the unprecedented fiscal and expenditure challenges facing the country however, all health service providers will be challenged to deliver greater efficiency for resources allocated to them, in a way that has minimum impact on the provision of frontline services to persons with a disability. As the Deputy will appreciate, detailed deliberation on all aspects of expenditure in the health service is underway in preparation for Budget 2011. In the current financial circumstances, no guarantee can be given towards the maintenance of current levels of expenditure going forward and it would not be appropriate to comment on particular elements of the Budget at this time.