Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
1218. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health to outline all of the functions and associated finances transferred to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth since 1 January 2023 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36099/23]
View answerAbout one in seven people in Ireland, circa 650,000, self-reported as having a disability in Census 2016. In line with the ‘mainstream first’ approach of the Disability Act 2005, over 90% of people with a disability are supported through general community health and social services. Health Service Executive funded specialist community-based disability services are delivered to an estimated 80,000 people with a disability.
Policy functions and funding responsibility for approximately 2.647 billion euro relating to specialist community-based disability services transferred to the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on the 1st of March 2023.
Specialist community-based disability services include the services provided by, or on behalf of, the HSE to children and adults with physical, sensory, intellectual disability and/or autism, including:
• Specialist children’s and adults’ multi-disciplinary supports
• Day services
• Respite services
• Personal Assistant and Home Support Services and
• Residential services.
The responsibility for the delivery of these services is retained within the Health Service Executive.
