Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 183: To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the parents of a child (details supplied) have been informed that it will take between 12 to 18 months to have a full assessment carried out by the autism team at Mounthamilton House, Dundalk, County Louth; if he is satisfied that this waiting time is acceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33555/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged to have this question transferred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 184: To ask the Minister for Health the future plan for a facility (details supplied) in County Kerry; if the welfare of the service users are being fully considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33564/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding funding in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Dublin. [33587/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Health Service Executive has advised me that expenditure on health services for people with a disability in 2011 will be approximately €1.5 billion. Special consideration was given to disability and mental health in Budget 2011 through a maximum reduction of just 1.8% in the allocation for the two sectors. The relatively lower reduction of 1.8%, compared to other areas of the health budget that saw reductions of up to 5%, recognises that these services are provided to vulnerable groups and should help to ensure that existing services are maintained and that priority is given to the delivery of frontline services.

I recognise and appreciate the valuable contribution that Prosper Fingal makes to the provision of services to individuals with intellectual disabilities in North Dublin through a range of community-based day, respite, and residential services on behalf of the Health Service Executive. The HSE has advised that Prosper Fingal will receive approximately €6.55 million in funding from them in 2011. Taking the reduction in the overall HSE disability budget for 2011 into account, the HSE was asked to manage the additional resources and engage with service providers including Prosper Fingal, to ensure that existing support needs, and demands for additional places and supports, are managed effectively within the overall allocation.

Budget 2012

With regard to the level of funding for the Disability sector next year, this is being considered as part of the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure and Estimates process for 2012 which is currently underway. Deliberations on the expenditure allocations for 2012 are likely to continue up until Budget time and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of those deliberations. As you are aware, the very difficult financial position facing the Exchequer will obviously require very careful management across all areas of expenditure.