Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 July 2021
482. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the plans that are in place for a service (details supplied) in County Louth; the engagement there has been between stakeholders and families of service users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29622/21]
View answer489. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the status of each of the services (details supplied); the current situation of each; the future for the service users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29664/21]
View answer490. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health f he is satisfied with the engagement between a service (details supplied) and an association in relation to the future care of current service users following the notice to withdraw services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29665/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 482, 489 and 490 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, Saint John of God Community Services clg (SJOGCS), has given the HSE 12 months’ notice of its intention to terminate its Section 38 arrangement with a view to transferring responsibility for the provision of disability and mental health service to the State by 1 October 2021.
The HSE has established a Joint Governance Committee and a Joint Implementation Committee to plan for the orderly transfer of services to the HSE covering:
a. Services
b. Finance and Assets
c. Communications
d. Human Resources.
I am very conscious that SJOGCS has played a significant role in the delivery of vital disability services and supports to service users and their families across the State for many years and the key focus at present is to ensure that the organisation is facilitated to maintain its important service delivery role into the future in line with a reformed model of care.
Accordingly, in parallel with the work on the transition plan, the HSE is encouraging SJOGCS to engage in a Sustainability Impact Assessment, which would provide the organisation with a pathway to financial and operational sustainability and enable the organisation to remain in service provision.
I understand that the HSE is engaging with the families of service users in relation to the overall process. I would like to assure the Deputy that the needs of services users and their families are at the forefront of all considerations and decision-making in relation to the reform process.
The HSE has met with the NPFFA on dates in March, May and June. Across the next three months the HSE will meet with the NPFFA on a fortnightly basis. I am advised by the HSE that there is an open communication channel both through phone call and / or email between the HSE and National PFFA reps as required. In addition, on the 28th June two PFFA reps were on-boarded to the Communications Work stream as part of the four workstreams regarding the transition programme from SJOGCS to the HSE.
My foremost concern, which is shared by the HSE, is to ensure the continuity of appropriate disability services delivery by SJOGCS in line with strong governance mechanisms in a cost-effective and equitable manner consistent with care and support needs.
