James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) is happy to consider the Jack and Jill Report - "There's no place like home" as part of its engagement with the Foundation. Neither my Department or the HSE were involved in the preparation of the report. I would agree, in general, that children's needs are most appropriately met and provided in the home. We also need to ensure that there is more efficient use of resources. Many children availing of services provided by the Jack and Jill Foundation also avail of other disability services. The report did not compare the respective costs of the home based care provided by the Foundation with the cost of similar services provided by the HSE.

I can assure the Deputy that the HSE will continue to fund the Jack and Jill Foundation in 2011. The HSE is working with the Jack and Jill Foundation to identify and prioritise the needs of the children on a case-by-case basis and will ensure that no child is hospitalised for want of adequate home support, provided by the Jack and Jill Foundation or by the HSE.

My Department is undertaking a review of the efficiency and effectiveness of the health and personal social services provided to people with disabilities. This review is part of the Government's Value for Money and Policy Review Programme. The review will focus, in particular, on the scope for achieving greater efficiency and effectiveness from the substantial resources expended on services for people with disabilities and will support the future planning and development of such services.