Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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119. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the risk to neurological services arising from the lack of clarity on the funding of Neurological Alliance of Ireland affiliates beyond June 2015; if his Department is making contingencies for the provision of counselling, helpline support, home support and other services currently undertaken by affiliate organisations to the Neurological Alliance of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9414/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The funding referred to by the Deputy relates to the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) operated by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. The Scheme aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. On 18 July 2014, it was announced that bridging funding of €1.4million would be allocated for a twelve month period to a number of previously funded health, disability and other organisations that were not approved for funding under the 2014 Scheme. This bridging funding will be provided, pending the carrying out of a review of the public funding of national organisations in the health and disability sector. This bridging funding in 2014/2015 is a once-off transitional arrangement and will enable organisations to plan for their future, whether with or without State support, such as that provided under the SSNO. The review process is underway and is being advanced by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in consultation with the Department of Health. The Health Service Executive and Pobal are also participating in the review. All organisations in receipt of bridging funding, including members of the Neurological Alliance of Ireland, have been contacted to make submissions as part of the review process. I understand the Department of the Environment Community and Local Government intend to complete and publish the outcome of the review over the coming months.

The Government currently provides funding of over €1.4 billion to the Disability Services Programme through the Health Service Executive's (HSE's) National Service Plan for 2015 and is committed to protecting frontline services for people with disabilities. In 2015, the HSE is seeking to maximise the provision of services within available resources and to maintaining a level of services consistent with that provided in 2014. The HSE is currently in discussion with all voluntary health service providers, currently in receipt of HSE funding, including members of the Neurological Alliance of Ireland regarding funding and service arrangements for 2015.