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Value for Money Reviews

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 July 2012

Tuesday, 10 July 2012

Questions (510)

Regina Doherty

Question:

526 Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health if the recent value for money report has revealed any incidences in which moneys from the disability budget were diverted to pay staff rather than fund services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33616/12]

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Written answers

The Value for Money (VFM) and Policy Review of the Disability Services was initiated by the Department of Health in June 2009 and was conducted under the auspices of the Government's Value for Money and Policy Review Initiative 2009-2011. The purpose of the Review was to assess how well current services for people with disabilities met their objectives and support the future planning and development of services. The period under review was 2005 to 2009.

The Review was overseen by an independent chair, Mr. Laurence Crowley, and had two other independent members, as well as members drawn from the Disability Sector, the Department of Health and Children, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and the HSE. It is expected that the report will be submitted to the Government for consideration in the near future and, if approved, will be published as soon as practicable thereafter. It would not be appropriate for me to speculate on any of the findings of the report in advance of its consideration by the Government.

However, separate from the VFM Review, the Deputy may wish to note that the Disability Services Programme is primarily delivered through the provision of a wide range of services and supports, including residential, day, multi-disciplinary therapies, early intervention and early childhood services, respite, home support, assisted living services and other support services. These services and supports are provided to people with disabilities by the HSE and by voluntary service providers through approximately 24,000 staff across many different disciplines, grades and skills. Consequently approximately 85% of the disability budget is expended on staff pay and the balance on non-pay.

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