Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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433. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to address the shortage of places at an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18111/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Preparations are under way in respect of all school-leavers and rehabilitative training (RT) graduates to ensure that needs are identified and appropriate services are provided to young people with disabilities. The Health Service Executive (HSE) has confirmed that all young people and their families will be notified by the end of June of the placement that will be available to them from September. Additional funding of €6 million (at a full year cost of €12 million) has been allocated in the Social Care Operational Plan 2015 to meet the needs of around 1,500 young people who will require continuing health-funded supports.

The HSE is very aware of the challenges faced by St. Michael’s House and other service providers and remains committed to working with all voluntary disability service providers to ensure that all of the resources available for specialist disability services are used in the most efficient and effective manner possible. The HSE has informed me that they are on schedule to meet the day service needs of all young people with disabilities who are due to leave school or graduate from an RT programme in the coming weeks.