Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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201. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that vital services such as respite care, personal assistance and so on are available to spina bifida patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8411/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) National Service Plan 2014 and the recently published 2014 Operational Plan for the Social Care Division, outline the quantum of specialist disability services, the key reform initiatives and the additional investment in 2014. In 2014, the HSE will provide the following quantum of services to people with disabilities, including people with spina bifida:

- Residential Support Services for almost 9,000 people with disabilities;

- Day Services for 22,000 people with disabilities;

- Residential Respite Services for nearly 6,000 people with disabilities;

- 1.3 million hours of Personal Assistance to more than 1,800 people with disabilities;

- 2.4 million hours of Home Support to more than 8,000 people with disabilities;

- Staffing in Children's Disability Services equivalent to 9 Children's Disability Network Teams; and

- Commence Assessments under the Disability Act 2005 on behalf of more than 4,500 children.

2014 will see an additional investment of €14m and 130 additional staff to:

- Provide places for an estimated 1,200 young people leaving school or Rehabilitative Training nationwide - 35 additional staff - €7m;

- Provide "emergency" placements for people with disabilities whose care or family circumstances have changed and who now require an immediate and unplanned service response - 15 additional staff - €3m;

- Roll out a new model of assessment and intervention, the objective of which is to provide one clear referral pathway for all children (0-18s), irrespective of their disability, where they live or the school they attend - 80 additional staff - €4m.

The delivery of high quality and safe services will remain an important focus in 2014. A particular focus will be placed on the implementation of the Health Information and Quality Authority standards for residential services for people with a disability.