317 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason funding has not been provided to a unit (details supplied) in County Longford in order to enable it to function and get up and running and provide a necessary service in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11394/07]

As the Deputy may be aware, a 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 multidisciplinary 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.