Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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793. To ask the Minister for Health the action he will take on the commitment to protect persons with disabilities by implementing a number of the ten points recommended by the Disability Federation of Ireland relevant to his Department, namely the granting of medical cards based on medical need, not income; cutting waiting lists for specialist and mainstream health services by 50% by 2017; increasing the disability health budget by at least €50 million each year for the next three years; increasing the budget for personal assistant services by at least €15 million each year for the next three years; and investing an additional €20 million in capital expenditure and €10 million in revenue on a multi-annual basis, in order to implement the Time to Move on from Congregated Settings report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30702/15]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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1150. To ask the Minister for Health the action he will take on the commitment to protect persons with disabilities by implementing a number of the ten points recommended by the Disability Federation of Ireland relevant to his Department, namely, introducing a disability tax credit, similar to the blind person’s tax credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32290/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 793 and 1150 together.

The Disability Federation of Ireland statement raises a wide range of issues relating to people with a disability. The Government values the role which people with disabilities play in Irish society and is committed to facilitating the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the life of the community through access to individualised personal social supports and services. Many of the points made in the correspondence touch on the responsibilities of a number of my colleagues as well as myself and I will make sure that my colleagues are made aware of these views. My response will refer specifically to health service supports.

Work is currently underway in the Department of Health in relation to the preparation of budget estimates for 2016. As part of this process, the HSE has submitted an estimate of its proposed expenditure for 2016 including for health and personal social services for people with a disability. As discussions on budgetary issues are ongoing within the Department of Health, with the HSE and with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

I am not in a position to comment at this stage on the outcome of this process and it is not possible to predict the service levels to be provided in 2016 and beyond for the disability sector.

The Disability Federation of Ireland's recommendation in relation to medical cards, cutting waiting lists for specialist and mainstream health services by 2017, increasing the disability health budget by at least €50 million each year for the next three years, increasing the budget for Personal Assistant services by at least €15 million each year for the next three years and investing an additional €20 million in capital expenditure and €10 million in revenue on a multi-annual basis in order to implement the Time to Move on from Congregated Settings report have been noted.