Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013
1139. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if personal assistant services for persons with disabilities will be maintained at the same level as that provided in 2012; if he will outline in detail the way the additional funding of €4 million to address the service needs of school-leavers in 2013 is allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16147/13]
View answerThe Government and the HSE are committed to protecting the level of Personal Assistant services available to persons with disabilities. In the 2013 National Service Plan (NSP), the HSE's priority is to maximise the provision of services to people with disabilities within available resources and to maintain a consistent level to that provided for in 2012, including the provision of 1.68 million hours of Personal Assistant/Home Support Hours.
The demand for life-skills training and day services for school-leavers with disabilities continues to grow. The HSE expects that approximately 700 school-leavers will require services in 2013. I am pleased to confirm that, although the 2013 allocation for disability services has been reduced by 1.2%, the HSE National Service Plan includes an additional €4m to provide training places and day services for school-leavers in 2013. This funding will be allocated to each HSE Region based on the percentage of population.
The recommendations of the National Working Group for the Review of HSE-funded Adult Day Services (New Directions) will guide the reconfiguration and modernisation of HSE funded adult day services and will underpin the collaborative action in terms of flexibility and innovation when addressing requirements for school leavers in 2013.
Currently the National Disability Unit is liaising with the Regional Leads for Disability Services in terms of a cohesive and collaborative approach to meeting the needs of school leavers within the resources available. Both the voluntary sector and the HSE are committed to the best use of this funding in a creative and flexible manner so as to secure as many places as possible.
