Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 September 2014
128. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views that substantial increases in waiting lists for residential services, respite and other supports can only be dealt with by additional investment. [36106/14]
View answer129. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36109/14]
View answer130. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will improve the resourcing of disability services and other supports available in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36141/14]
View answer131. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on the growing gap (details supplied) between the demand for supports for persons with intellectual disabilities and their families and the resources available to meet them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36151/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 128 to 131, inclusive, together.
The 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 disability 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. An additional investment of €14m in 2014 also has been made to address deficits in disability services, a reform programme to transform services to a community based model of person centred supports, and to focus on the implementation of the Health Information and Quality Authority standards for residential services for people with a disability. These developments and reform proposals will be carried out in an environment of effective communications and engagement with all those involved in services, including people with a disability through the HSE's National Consultative Forum.
