Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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494. To ask the Minister for Health the reason an association (details supplied) does not receive State funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17577/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) funds a range of health and personal social services to enable each person with a disability, including those with Parkinson's Disease, to achieve their full potential and maximise independence. The services and supports incorporate hospital, primary care and community services. Services are provided either directly by the HSE or through a range of voluntary service providers and include therapy services, assisted living services and respite and residential services. These services must be delivered within the budget allocated to the HSE from the Exchequer.

The HSE liaises with the Parkinson's Association of Ireland through its membership of the Neurological Alliance of Ireland, which is a national umbrella organisation for voluntary groups, professionals and interested parties representing the views and concerns of those whose lives are affected by neurological conditions. The HSE also provides funding of over €1.5 million to the Disability Federation of Ireland, of which the Parkinson's Association is a member organisation. The role of the Disability Federation of Ireland is to support organisations working with people with disabilities and to represent those organisations to the HSE, Government departments and other state agencies.

The Deputy may wish to note that my colleague, the Minister for Health, has a meeting arranged with the Parkinson's Association of Ireland later this month. As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be referred to the HSE for a more detailed reply.