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Disability Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022

Tuesday, 1 March 2022

Questions (611)

Noel Grealish

Question:

611. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the reason visually impaired persons who have been granted additional PA hours have not received their allocation; the steps that are being taken to address the shortfall in PA service providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10851/22]

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Written answers

The Government is working to ensure that People with Disabilities be allowed to live an independent life of their own choosing, the same as any other person, and this is consistent with the disability reform policy - “transforming lives”.

The HSE provides a range of assisted living services including Personal Assistant (PA) services to support individuals to maximise their capacity to live full and independent lives.

Personal Assistance Services are accessed through an application process or through referrals from public health nurses or other community based staff. Individual’s needs are evaluated against the criteria for prioritisation for the particular services and then decisions are made in relation to the allocation of resources.

Resource allocation is determined by the needs of the individual, compliance with prioritisation criteria, and the level of resources available. PA and Home Support Services are provided either directly by the HSE or through a range of voluntary service providers. The majority of specialised disability provision (80%) is delivered through non-statutory sector service providers.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

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