Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the funding available in 2009 and 2010 to the disability sector; the budget for 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47486/10]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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My Department collects disability expenditure information on a twice yearly basis. At the end of 2009, disability expenditure amounted to €1,581.88 million. By the end of 2010, disability expenditure is estimated to be €1,468.94 million. Special consideration has been given to disability and mental health in Budget 2011, through a maximum reduction of just 1.8% or €40 million overall in the allocation for the two sectors. The relatively lower reduction, compared to other areas of the health budget, recognises that these services are provided to vulnerable groups. Furthermore, an additional €10 million in funding is being provided to the HSE for disability in 2011, to meet anticipated extra demand in respect of emergency residential, respite and personal assistant/home support hours for people with disabilities, and day places for school leavers in September 2011. The HSE is in the final phase of completing work on its 2011 National Service Plan and the actual amount of disability funding allocated in 2011 will not be known until the Service Plan is approved by the Minister for Health & Children in early 2011.