Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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426. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a centre (details supplied) in Dublin 3 has been told there are no more funds and resources to support persons with a disability following a meeting with parents; if he will take action on this urgent matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27606/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Funding of €12 million was announced in the HSE’s National Service Plan 2015 to meet the full year costs of school leavers and those graduating from rehabilitative training programmes. €6 million of this funding is available in 2015 and is being allocated to Community Healthcare Organisation areas, in line with needs identified and according to the HSE’s New Directionspolicy on day services for adults with a disability. An additional €1.5 million has since been added by the HSE to the overall allocation making a total of €13.5 million full year costs available to meet the needs of this cohort of young people. The HSE has assured me that Gheel Autism Services has recently been informed of their funding allocation to provide placements for 24 individuals from September.

The HSE is very aware of the challenges faced by some service providers and has been engaging locally and nationally with all providers, including Gheel Autism Services, who may not have the physical capacity within their existing services to accommodate the new intake of school leavers in 2015 but are actively seeking appropriate accommodation to enable a service to commence for these young people this year. In this context, a further €1.5 million once-off capital funding is to be allocated to organisations to provide suitable buildings, premises and accommodation. The HSE has invited applications from all service providers to avail of this funding and capital allocations will be notified to providers in the coming days.

The HSE will continue to work with Gheel Autism Services to resolve issues relating to accommodation.