Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2023
106. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to improve access to personal assistant hours this year; if there are plans to improve national standards for allocation, provision and data collection for a full evaluation of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32322/23]
View answerThe Personal Assistant (PA) service was developed to provide a service for adults with physical disabilities that enables them to live their lives as independently as possible and take decision making control. The person with the disability either directly employs the PA or is involved in the process of selecting the PA to work with them. The person with the disability determines the support they need and the activities they need support with. PA and Home Support Services are provided either directly by the HSE or through a range of voluntary service providers.
In accordance with the National Service Plan 2023, the HSE will deliver an additional 70,370 personal assistant hours to expand and enhance the supports for people to live self-directed lives in the community.
The HSE have advised that they are establishing a Working Group to address issues in PA services, which will develop a model of service, scope and access criteria. This group will include representatives of the primary stakeholders including disabled people.
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
