Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 November 2024
347. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the level of funding allocated to deliver 40,000 additional home support hours in Budget 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45501/24]
View answer348. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the level of funding allocated to deliver 20,000 additional personal assistance hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45502/24]
View answer349. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the level of funding allocated to the progressive alignment of the PA rate and home support rate with older persons services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45503/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 347, 348 and 349 together.
The HSE provides a range of assisted living services including Personal Assistant and Home Support Services to support individuals to maximise their capacity to live full and independent lives.
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.
The Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026 commits to a policy review of Home Support services in the light of the UNCRPD, and proposed statutory Home Care scheme being led by the Department of Health, to develop a formal policy and service description, develop eligibility and prioritisation criteria.
A policy review of PA services in the light of the UNCRPD is already underway, with a working group involving key stakeholders and disabled people's organisations, to develop formal policy and service description, develop eligibility and prioritisation criteria, and consider the best form of governance and regulation.
The precise level of service delivery for people with disabilities, based on the funding provided in the Budget, will be set out in the HSE's National Service Plan for 2025.
