Dáil Éireann - Volume 637 - 27 June, 2007

Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to offer facilities and support to the parents of autistic children in a co-ordinated and structured one stop shop fashion ranging from diagnosis to speech and language therapy services, advice and support with a view to meeting the most urgent requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18074/07]

Deputy Mary Harney Deputy Mary Harney

  Deputy Mary Harney: As the Deputy may be aware, an additional sum of €75 million for revenue purposes was provided to the Health Service Executive for Disability Services in the 2007 Budget. This sum incorporates the 2007 element of the Government’s multi-annual investment programme for the National Disability Strategy. This Strategy is committed to enhancing the level and range of multi-disciplinary support services to adults and children with an intellectual, physical and sensory disability and those with autism.

The Deputy’s question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Dáil Éireann 637 Written Answers. Services for People with Disabilities.

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