Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2016

Tuesday, 17 May 2016

Questions (665)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

665. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health to continue the funding of the walk peer programme under the disability activation project, given that otherwise the programme will close, resulting in a group of young persons who have taken the difficult steps into mainstream further education, training and employment options being without support from 1 August 2016 and as a result applying to the Health Service Executive for expensive day service places, and given that the cost to the Exchequer of continuing this initiative is €280,000 per year while the cost of ceasing it could be as high as €1,704,000 per year. [9571/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Employment activation projects for all citizens, including citizens with a disability, are the responsibility of the Minister for Social Protection. I understand that the WALK Peer Project referred to was funded by the Department of Social Protection and any decision on the continuation or otherwise of its funding would be a matter for that Department.

Adult day services for people with a disability are an operational matter for the HSE. As that aspect of the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (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.