The Health Service Executive (HSE) funds a range of assisted living services, including Personal Assistant services, to support individuals to live full and independent lives. In the 2015 HSE National Service Plan, the HSE's priority is to provide 1.3 million hours of Personal Assistant services to adults with a physical or sensory disability. The projected outturn for 2015 is 1.4 million, which compares with 1.34 million hours in 2014 and 1.29 million hours in 2013.
The Government currently provides funding of almost €1.5 billion to the Disability Services Programme, through the HSE's National Service Plan for 2015.
Any increases in demand for Personal Assistant services due to demographic pressures and changing needs, must be met within the level of resources available. The HSE is currently in the process of preparing its 2016 National Service Plan and is not in a position to comment on the funding details or quantum of services to be delivered in the 2016 disability services programme for children and adults. However the HSE will continue to seek to maximise the provision of health and personal social services, including Personal Assistant services, within existing resources.
I have referred the element of the Deputy's question regarding the numbers of people both availing of and waiting for Personal Assistant services 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 it will follow the matter up with the HSE.
