Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 January 2015
517. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will commence a programme of investment that will ensure the implementation of the congregated settings report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49656/14]
View answerThe HSE’s report “Time to Move on from Congregated Settings – A Strategy for Community Inclusion”, (2011) proposes a new model of support in the community by moving people from institutional settings to the community, over a seven year time frame. The plan will be rolled out at a regional and local level and will involve full consultation.
In terms of housing, the Department of Health and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government are working in collaboration to support the transition of people with a disability from institutions to social housing in the community under the Government's National Housing Strategy for People with Disability 2011 to 2016.
As part of the implementation process, in 2013 and 2014 one million euro was transferred from the Department of Health’s Vote to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government’s Vote to provide for the ring-fenced social housing costs of up to 150 people leaving disability or mental health institutions. In 2015, one million euro has been allocated to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to continue this process.
