Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 February 2014
59. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Health if the reduction in staff levels in the health services mean that, with regard to disability services, the capacity does not exist to implement Government policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6945/14]
View answerThe vision for the Health Service Executive's Disability Services Programme is to contribute to the realisation of a society where people with disabilities are supported, as far as possible, to participate to their full potential in economic and social life, and have access to a range of quality personal social supports and services to enhance their quality of life. The Health Service Executive National Service Plan 2014 and the recently published 2014 Operational Plan for the Social Care Division outline the quantum of specialist services, the key reform initiatives and the additional investment in 2014 which it has assured me will give effect to this vision in 2014. The HSE will spend €1.4 billion and employ a staff level of approximately 15,000 whole time equivalents in 2014 to provide specified levels of services.
The Key Priorities for Disability Services in 2014 include the following measures which reflect the Government's policy on transforming disability services
- Implementation Framework – Value for Money and Policy Review
- People moving from institutional settings to homes in the community
- Reconfiguration of day services and services for young people leaving school / rehabilitation programmes
- Disability services for children and young people (0-18s)
- Service user involvement and quality in the development of services
In 2014 the HSE will provide the following quantum of service in support of Government policy:
- Provide Residential Support Services for almost 9,000 people with disabilities.
- Provide Day Services for 22,000 people with disabilities.
- Provide staffing in Children's Disability Services equivalent to 9 Children's Disability Network Teams.
- Commence assessments under the Disability Act 2005 on behalf of more than 4,500 children.
- Provide residential Respite Services for nearly 6,000 people with disabilities.
- Provide 1.3m hours of Personal Assistance to more than 1,800 people with disabilities.
- Provide 2.4m hours of Home Support to more than 8,000 people with disabilities.
2014 will see an additional investment of €14m and 130 additional staff to:
- Provide places for an estimated 1,200 young people leaving school or Rehabilitative Training nationwide - 35 additional staff - €7m.
- Provide "emergency" placements for people with disabilities whose care or family circumstances have changed and who now require an immediate and unplanned service response - 15 additional staff - €3m.
- Roll out a new model of assessment and intervention, the objective of which is to provide one clear referral pathway for all children (0 – 18s), irrespective of their disability, where they live or the school they attend - 80 additional therapy staff - €4m.
The delivery of high quality and safe services will remain an important focus in 2014. A particular focus will be placed on the implementation of the Health Information and Quality Authority standards for residential services for people with a disability.
