131 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the practice whereby children on the waiting list in the DCD unit at St. Finbarr’s Hospital, Cork are given priority if they are in a position to privately obtain psychological and occupational therapy assessments; her views on whether this practice is unfair to children who have waited up to two years for assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20017/08]

132 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that in the DCD unit at St. Finbarr’s Hospital, Cork, most occupational therapy intervention will be offered in group settings which will not benefit those children who need one-to-one therapy or those with sensory integration difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20018/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 132 together.

As part of the Multi-Annual Investment Programme 2006-2009 under the Disability Strategy, the Government provided the Health Service Executive with an additional €75m in both 2006 and 2007. This funding included monies to provide new and enhanced services for people with disabilities, to implement Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005, which came into effect on June 1st 2007 for the under 5's and also for the continuation of the implementation of the transfer of persons with intellectual disability from psychiatric hospitals and other inappropriate placements. The Government is also honouring its promise in relation to the Multi-Annual Investment Programme for people with disabilities, with a further €50m investment which was announced in the 2008 Budget.

The Deputy's specific questions relate 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 these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

133 Deputy James McDaid asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of deaf children here; the number of cochlear implants performed each year; and the locations where the operation is available. [20021/08]

The Deputy's question relates to the funding, 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.