Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 March 2023
39. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures his Department is taking to improve monitoring and oversight of disability services; if there are plans to introduce a statutory authority to audit disability standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15662/23]
View answerOn the 1st March 2023, responsibility for policy, functions and funding relating to specialist community-based disability services (SCBDS) transferred from the Department of Health to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, coinciding with the commencement of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022.
The transfer entails important changes in how the Health Service Executive (HSE) is governed, given that the HSE will now be required to report to two Ministers for separate, but interlinked, elements of its statutory functions. My Department will now have policy, oversight and funding responsibility for c. €2.6 billion in specialist disability services supporting approximately 80,000 people with disabilities.
One of the central principles and opportunities of the transfer of functions is to ensure a legally and operationally robust governance framework that provide for appropriate budgetary and performance management of the specialist disability services delivered by or on behalf of the HSE. The legislative framework is underpinned by a high-level agreement between the two Ministers and a Memorandum of Understanding between both Secretaries General, which will provide the administrative framework for ongoing close collaboration between both Departments and the HSE.
My Department will work to enhance and strengthen strategic direction, planning and service delivery in specialist disability policy and services. This will assist the important transition from a medical model of support towards a holistic, rights based approach that supports people with disabilities to live autonomously. Ongoing consultation and cooperation between the two departments is essential to maintain and further improve integrated service delivery and mainstream first pathways in meeting the needs of persons with a disability.
In line with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, a comprehensive Oversight Agreement with the HSE will be developed to reflect DCEDIY’s responsibility for funding, policy and oversight of specialist disability services. This overarching agreement will outline the governance and monitoring arrangements between DCEDIY and the HSE. Once developed, the Oversight Agreement will replace the interim arrangements currently in operation to ensure continuity immediately post-transfer. Performance will be measured against budget, activity targets and the key performance indicators (KPIs) agreed in the HSE’s annual National Service Plan.
In relation to quality standards, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is an independent authority established under the Health Act 2007, to drive continuous improvement and to monitor safety and quality in Ireland’s health and personal social care services.
The Health Act 2007 requires all providers, public, private and voluntary organisations, to identify residential services (older persons, people with disabilities and children) that meet the criteria for a designated centre and to apply to the Chief Inspector within HIQA to have those centres registered.
HIQA determines which services come within its ambit in accordance with the relevant statutory provisions. The Chief Inspector does not have authority to inspect or regulate residential services that are not designated centres.
Work is advancing on preparing regulation of home care and home support services, in light of feedback from public consultation. In addition, the HSE is setting up a multi-stakeholder implementation group for the Report on National Expert Review Group on Home Sharing, 2017, to review what can be done in relation to amending the Health Act 2007 so that Home Sharing has a legal / regulatory basis.
