Alan Kelly
Question:1051. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the extra funding resources that will be put into the disability sector in 2020. [14882/20]
View answerTuesday, 14 July 2020
Questions (1051)
Written answers
As set out in the National Service Plan 2020, the 2020 disability budget is €2054.5m. This represents an increase of €138.7m or 7.2% on the 2019 budget.
In addition, the Government has agreed to allocate substantial additional funding to the Health Vote to meet the costs associated with the implementation of the measures outlined in the National Action Plan in response to COVID-19.
The HSE, through the Community Healthcare Organisations (CHOs) is actively engaging with any Section 38 and Section 39 disability service providers who are experiencing financial challenges, including access to cash acceleration, where appropriate, to maintain continuity of service provision during the pandemic. Organisations receiving funding from the HSE should raise any concerns in relation to financial issues that may have implications for continuity of service provision with the relevant Community Health Care Organisation (CHO) responsible for the service arrangements.
The HSE has agreed a structured approach to addressing the financial challenges of Section 39 service providers due to COVID-19. The objective of the programme is to provide a structured governance process and modus operandi through which Section 39 partners experiencing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency can engage through the HSE to ensure, where appropriate, continuity of essential services provided by these agencies. The HSE has also developed a methodology to provide a pro forma approach to support decision making in respect of Section 39 Organisations that have made submissions to the HSE for both financial and non-financial supports during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The HSE has advised my Department that it has given Section 38 and Section 39 providers of disability services and supports assurance that budget allocations confirmed to each provider via the relevant CHO, will remain in place to year end, subject to co-operation with the HSE and compliance with the relevant Service Arrangements.
Other supports provided by CHOs to Section 38 and Section 39 organisations providing disability specialist services between March and May 2020 include PPE; Infection Prevention and Control support, advice and training; Public Health advice/support with regard to suspected/positive cases; Isolation facilities allied to testing, funding for emergency residential placements and logistics in the form of transport and accommodation. In addition, COVID response teams were put in place to assist and support residential service providers during the pandemic. These teams will now oversee and support the reshaping of disability services as a result of COVID 19.
A critical focus at this time is the assurance of value for money in delivering on the required patient services and population health needs to effectively manage COVID-19 infection within the Irish context. Accordingly, the financial implications of measures taken to mitigate impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak are matters which the Department of Health will continue to keep under review in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, as the situation evolves.
The Deputy will be aware of the COVID-19 Stability Fund for Community and Voluntary, Charity and Social Enterprises which is administered by Pobal, on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development. Organisations providing disability specialist services were eligible to apply to the Fund, which is now closed for applications. This scheme is intended to be a targeted once-off cash injection for organisations and groups delivering front-line services to the most at need in our society and in danger of imminent closure due to lost fundraised or traded income as a direct result of restrictions to counter the spread of COVID-19. The approval of funding under Tranche One of the Scheme was announced on 26 June. Further tranches will be announced over the coming weeks.
Question No. 1052 answered with Question No. 975.