Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2015
216. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health his views on the value-for-money review being conducted by the Health Service Executive and the impacts the requests being made, under this review, pose to organisations such as Ability West, which provides services to persons of all ages with intellectual disabilities; and if the review is taking account of the improving financial position of the State. [9759/15]
View answerThe Government currently provides funding of almost €1.5 billion to the Disability Services Programme through the Health Service Executive's (HSE) National Service Plan for 2015. This funding provides disability services throughout the country and is spent in line with nationally agreed policy, whilst at the same time trying to maximise value. The Government is committed to protecting frontline services for people with disabilities.
The HSE is currently in discussion with disability service providers regarding funding and service arrangements for 2015.
The HSE remains committed to working with voluntary disability service providers to ensure that available resources are used in a creative and flexible manner, in order to be responsive to the needs that present.
As the issues raised in the Deputy's question relate to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
