Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 July 2014
187. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the total State spend on Health Service Executive disability services for the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; if he will provide a breakdown of same by year and by scheme and-or project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30471/14]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to ensuring the on-going delivery of vital services and supports to people with disabilities within available resources. The Health Service Executive (HSE) was provided with funding for Disability Services since 2011 as follows; €1,576 million in 2011, €1,554 million in 2012, €1,535 million in 2013. The HSE has been provided with funding in the order of €1.4 billion this year to fund the 2014 disability services programme for children and adults with disabilities. The majority of this funding is distributed through non-statutory agencies who deliver over 80% of all disability services. There are in the region of 300 such agencies at present across the country that provide a significant and broad range of services for children and adults with disabilities in partnership with and on behalf of the HSE.
The manner in which funding is allocated/distributed allows for a distinction between broad categories of funding such as services for older people, primary care and disabilities in general. Disability services are provided based on the needs of an individual rather than by the actual type of disability. The HSE has informed the Department of Health that it does not separate out the spend on Physical & Sensory, Intellectual or Autism Disabilities as some of the Disability Service providers offer services to both Intellectual and Physical & Sensory service users.
In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
