Kevin Humphreys
Question:625. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health when the national allocation to fund disability services for school leavers will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23788/13]
View answerTuesday, 21 May 2013
Questions (625)
Written answers
Although the 2013 allocation for disability services has been reduced by 1.2%, the Health Service Executive (HSE) National Service Plan includes an additional €4m to provide training places and day services for school-leavers and Rehabilitative/Lifeskills Training (RT) graduates in 2013. This funding will be allocated to each HSE Region based on its percentage of population. Both the voluntary sector and the HSE are committed to the best use of the funding in a creative and flexible manner so as to secure as many places as possible for this cohort.
The HSE expects that approximately 700 young people who have finished their education or life-skills training will require services in 2013. Providing the level of services required for everyone, within the additional funding, will continue to be a challenge. Work in this area will be progressed largely in line with the HSE guidance document developed in 2012, which led to the successful placement of 99% of RT exits and 96% of school leavers last year.
The National Disability Unit in the HSE is liaising with the Regional Leads for Disability Services on a cohesive and collaborative approach, in conjunction with the non-statutory service providers, to meeting the needs of school leavers within the resources available. It is envisaged that plans will be completed for each region by the end of May and submitted to Area Managers, Regional Specialists and Regional Director of Operations for agreement. Arising from completed and approved plans, a communication process will be agreed with service providers to inform families of the services that will be available from September 2013. This process will be implemented before the end of the school year.