Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 December 2015
487. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the status of a matter (details supplied) regarding young adults with intellectual disabilities who are school leavers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46373/15]
View answerGovernment policy is to enable young people with disabilities to develop the skills they will need to live independent lives to the greatest extent possible and to receive the supports they need in order to achieve this. Every year, young people with disabilities finish their second level education and progress to the next stage in their lives. For most, the hope is that they will progress directly to further education, vocational training or employment. Responsibility for the provision of services and supports in these areas lies with the Government Departments and agencies that have responsibility for providing these services to the whole population.
Some young people who have more complex support needs will require life-skills training or day supports provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE, through its Occupational Guidance Service, works with schools, service providers, young people with disabilities and their families to identify training needs and explore suitable options.
One of the most significant projects currently being progressed by the HSE is the implementation of the person-centred approach to day services outlined in New Directions - Report on the National Working Group for the Review of HSE funded Adult Day Services. The New Directions policy proposes that health-funded day services for adults with disabilities should be based on the principles of person-centredness, community inclusion, active citizenship and high quality service provision. The HSE is committed to providing services in a more individualised and person-centred way to people availing of day services including school-leavers and those graduating from Rehabilitative (Lifeskills) training, whose service should in future take the form of individualised and personally chosen outcome-focused supports.
Each Local Health Office area in the Health Service Executive (HSE) has a dedicated Disability Manager to coordinate the delivery of services to people with disabilities. It is open to the individual and his family to discuss his options on leaving school with the Disability Manager for their area who can be contacted at: Fujitsu House, Unit 100, 4th Floor, Lakeshore Drive, Airside, Swords; phone number 01 8953725.
