286. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if he will grant the funding necessary to the Jack and Jill Foundation to enable it to expand the services it provides to children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3177/12]
Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Kathleen Lynch): As is the case with all charities, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is not in a position to provide additional funding to the Jack and Jill Foundation to enable the expansion of its services. However the HSE is working with the Jack and Jill Foundation to identify and prioritise the needs of each child on a case-by-case basis to ensure that no child is hospitalised for want of adequate home support, provided by either the Foundation or the HSE.
The Health Service Executive’s National Service Plan for 2012, has been drawn up against the backdrop of significant funding challenges. The allocation for disability services will reduce in 2012 by 3.7% as a consequence of the impact of the efficiency, procurement and targeted pay reduction savings. However, the level of service reduction will be less than the level of budget reduction as a result of efficiencies that will be delivered. The aim of the HSE will be to tailor such reductions in a way which minimises the impact on service users and their families, as much as possible.
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