Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 June 2012
520 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the Health Service Executive review which he has requested in relation to the sheltered attendance allowance cut which came into effect on 13 January 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30293/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decision to reduce the top up payment made to people with a disability attending rehabilitative training was implemented by the Health Service Executive (HSE) without informing the Department of Health. The reduction from €31.80 per week to €20 per week, from the 1st January 2012, was communicated to the HSE Local Managers in advance of the Minister approving the National Service Plan for 2012. This proposed measure sought to bring consistency to the top up bonus paid to people attending the HSE rehabilitative training scheme with similar payments paid in other State training schemes. Any reduction in payments to individuals requires adequate advance notice to enable the recipients and indeed, service providers, to take the reduction into account in planning their support needs and other arrangements.
It should also be noted that people with a disability attending Rehabilitative Training are usually in receipt of a State payment such as the Disability Allowance. Following examination of a report on this issue from the HSE, I requested the Executive not to proceed with this reduction pending a fuller consideration of the effects and consequences of this measure.
