Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2016
646. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health when he will provide full day services to young persons on the autism spectrum disorder who were left without local, full day services in north and west County Dublin from summer 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9512/16]
View answer647. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the cost of providing full day services to young persons on the autism spectrum disorder who were left without local, full day services in north and west County Dublin from summer 2015; the amount of funding and the number of personnel required to provide such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9513/16]
View answer648. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health to report on the preparations taking place to provide full, local, day services to young persons on the autism spectrum disorder graduating from children's services in summer 2016 in north and west County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9514/16]
View answer650. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the public service providers for young adult school leavers on the Autism Spectrum Disorder in County Dublin, by capacity, by number of staff, by number on waiting lists for 2015 and to date in 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9516/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 646 to 648, inclusive, and 650 together.
The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. The commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. With regard to the provision of day services for school-leavers with disabilities, the Programme for Partnership Government says that the Government is committed to ensuring that all 18 year old school leavers with intellectual and physical disabilities have continued education or training opportunities.
The process of planning for the needs of around 1,500 young people with disabilities and autism who will require continuing health-funded supports on leaving school or rehabilitative (life-skills) training this year commenced in September 2015. To ensure these needs are met, funding of €7.25m is being allocated by the HSE to provide appropriate services and supports. Once off funding of €2 million is also being provided for the refurbishment and fit-out of buildings to provide suitable service locations by September, based on an assessment of the physical capacity within existing services to accommodate the additional numbers. A standardised process for the identification of support needs has been put in place and a profiling exercise has now been completed with each individual in order to ascertain their needs and preferences.
As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received replies from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
