Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 December 2012
103. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the funding that has been allocated in 2012 for the transfer of residents living in congregated settings into supported housing in the community; his plans in the next three years in relation to funding this transition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54608/12]
View answerOver 3,600 people with disabilities currently reside in segregated and congregated settings. The report sets out a framework to guide the transfer of identified individuals from congregated settings to live in the community. The HSE is currently developing a national plan and change-programme for transferring these people to the community. The Government approved a National Housing Strategy for people with disabilities in October 2011, which sets out a framework for the delivery of housing for people with disabilities through mainstream housing policy, in the period 2011-2016. The Strategy was developed on a partnership basis by a National Advisory Group Chaired by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and involving the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive, local authorities and organisations representing people with disabilities
The Minister for Housing & Planning, Ms. Jan O’Sullivan, TD, and the Minister for Disability, Equality, Mental Health & Older People, Ms. Kathleen Lynch, TD, published the National Implementation Framework to support the Government’s National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability, 2011–2016 on 20th July 2012. The Framework sets out a range of priority actions to support people with disabilities to live in communities as independently as possible, by providing mainstream assessment of housing need and appropriate housing solutions. Despite the extremely difficult economic conditions, initial funding of €1 million will be made available in 2013 to support the commencement of the transitioning programme. The funding, which will be ring fenced to meet the housing needs of people leaving institutions in 2013, will enable housing authorities to provide up to 150 new homes in the community for people with disabilities.
Over the past few years, disability service provision has been moving towards a community based and inclusive model rather than being institutional and segregated. The key lessons from these Reports as well as the Value for Money and Policy Review will provide a catalyst for achieving a more effective, person centered disability service provision, in line with international best practice. The implementation of these reports will be progressed though the HSE’s National Disability Governance Group and through the National Consultative Forum. The radical change is not the sole responsibility of the Health Sector but rather, a collaborative responsibility shared between the person, their families and carers, a multiplicity of agencies, Government and society as a whole.
