Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 February 2013
31. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if he will detail where the cuts in disability funding outlined in the Health Service Executive national service plan 2013 will apply; the way that this will affect staffing levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7464/13]
View answerThis Government currently provides funding of over €1.5 billion to the Disability Services Programme through the HSE’s National Service Plan for 2013 , and is committed to protecting front-line services for people with disabilities to the greatest possible extent.
The Minister for Health is working to ensure that protection is afforded to the disability sector, and the Social Care area as a whole.
In 2013 the HSE is seeking to maximise the provision of services within available resources and to maintaining a consistent level to that provided in 2012, by providing the following specialist disability services:
- residential services to over 9,000 people with a disability;
- day services to over 22,000 people with intellectual and physical disabilities;
- respite residential support for over 7,500 people with intellectual and physical disabilities;
- 1.68 m hours of Personal Assistant / Home Support Hours;
With regards to staffing levels the Government has decided that the numbers employed across the public service must be reduced in order to meet its fiscal and budgetary targets. The health sector must make its contribution to that reduction. This policy requires that by the end of 2013, the health service achieves a workforce of 98,955 whole time equivalents (WTEs). This is a very challenging target given the level of staff reductions that have been achieved in recent years.
In order to mitigate the impact on front-line services of the reduction in employment numbers, the priority is to reform how health services are delivered in order to ensure a more productive and cost effective health system. Therefore, the HSE is using the provisions of the Public Service Agreement to bring about greater flexibilities in work practices and rosters, redeployment and other changes to achieve more efficient delivery of services.
Staff reductions will be pursued throughout 2013 through natural turnover (retirements and resignations) and such other targeted measures or initiatives as may be determined by Government in relation to the health sector or the wider public service.
The HSE National Service Plan provides for investment of an additional 1,025 WTEs in a number of key prioritised areas, as well as the completion of the 2012 mental health investment programme (400+) posts. Also, a graduate nurse employment programme will be implemented, involving the recruitment of up to 1,000 nurses on two-year contracts. This will provide additional nursing capacity at service level.
In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
