Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2011
500 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health when he intends to put in place a personal budget model for persons with disabilities and their families; the progress that has been made on this to date; the timeline for the implementation of such a model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32868/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe funding of disability services by the Department of Health is the subject of a detailed Value for Money and Policy Review as part of the Government's Value for Money Reviews for the period 2009 to 2011.
As part of the overall VFM review, a separate Expert Reference Group on Disability Policy was established to look specifically at existing disability policy and whether it needs to be changed to better meet the expectations and objectives of people with disabilities. As part of this review, a public consultation process on existing disability services was also undertaken which confirmed that people with disabilities and their families, more than anything else, are looking for more choice in the services they receive and more control over how they access them.
The report proposes a very significant reframing of disability services towards a model of individualised supports, underpinned by mainstreaming of all public services. On this basis, State funding would be allocated based on an independent assessment of individual needs. Following the needs assessments, individual support plans would then be drawn up and individualised budgets allocated from which the supports and services needed would be purchased.
A number of mechanisms are proposed to achieve this, including a broker system where the person has the choice and control but the broker administers the budget and commissions supports and services on their behalf, or direct payments where the person manages the budget and purchases the supports themselves. The Group's final report has already been the subject of both internal consultation within the Department of Health and external consultation with other Government Departments. More recently, it has been released for the public and interested parties to have their say on the future direction of disability policy in this country. The closing date for receipt of such submissions was last Friday, 4 November, though, of course, any late submissions on their way to the Department will also be accepted.
The VFM exercise is due to be completed by year end with the submissions from the public consultation on the Disability Review also to be collated and analysed in that timeframe. It is then my intention to look at both reports together and in conjunction with Minister Reilly ensure that proposals for the future of our disability services are brought to Government.
501 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health when the national standards for residential services for people with disabilities will be put on a statutory footing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32869/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has prepared and published standards for this sector, which outline what is expected of a provider of services and what a person with a disability, his or her family, and the public can expect to receive from residential care services. They clearly set out what a quality safe residential service for people with disabilities should be and support the delivery of person-centred care in this sector.
As the Deputy will be aware, the current Programme for Government includes a specific commitment to put these standards on a statutory footing and ensure that the services are inspected by HIQA. As I announced on 16th June last, discussions have now begun between the Department of Health and HIQA to progress this commitment. Given the complex nature of residential service provision for people with disabilities — ranging from congregated settings to dispersed housing in the community — careful consideration is being given to designing the most appropriate regulatory model and this work is ongoing.
Other steps in the process will include:
costing the regulatory model;
conducting a regulatory impact analysis of same;
preparation of a memorandum for Government;
drafting of regulations;
recruitment and training, as required, of inspectors for the new regulatory model.
A target date of January 2013 has been provisionally set for the commencement of the new mandatory scheme of registration and inspection of residential services for people with disabilities.
While the HIQA standards have yet to be put on a statutory footing, it is worth noting that compliance with the HIQA standards is already included in the Service Level Arrangements between the HSE and service providers in the disability sector. Service providers are required to have systems in place to assess quality and standards and to specify the actions being taken to maintain and monitor quality and service standards. I understand that some service providers have also commenced a review of their services in the context of the HIQA standards.
