Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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439. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the funding reduction to a health services provider (details supplied) in County Galway; the way this reduction will impact on front-line services; if certainty may be given regarding the 2015 allocation which it has been indicated will be further reduced arising from the concern and anxiety that this is causing to families of persons with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44297/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Government is fully committed to ensuring the on-going delivery of vital services and supports to people with disabilities within available resources.

In budget 2015, additional funding has been provided to the HSE to address identified priority needs within disability services, including: €12m for the emerging needs of young people with a disability leaving school and those leaving Rehabilitation Training (RT) who will require a day place; and €6m to deliver the required increase in services for children with disabilities, including autism, and to reduce waiting lists under the Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18s) Programme.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is currently in the process of preparing its 2015 National Service Plan including its disability services programme for children and adults with disabilities. It is not expected that the HSE will be in a position to comment on the funding of individual disability organisations until this process has been completed.

In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy on Ability West, as this is a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with the HSE.