Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 July 2012
588 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding commitments given in relation to school leavers with a disability; and if she will make sure that a full and an appropriate service is provided. [31738/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra627 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health in view of the Health Service Executive cut backs in 2012 amounting to 5.5% and the withdrawal of demographic funding for school leavers and emergency cases for those with intellectual disabilities, when the commitment made (details supplied) that appropriate services provisions will be provided for school-leavers from existing capacity will be put in place; the appropriate services that this specifically entails; if this will include mental health and physical needs provisions; the mental health and physical needs provisions that will be provided; if now adult children will receive these provisions once school ends at the end of the month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32064/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 588 and 627 together. Day services for adults with disabilities provide a network of support for over 25,000 people who have a wide spectrum of need, ranging from those with severe and profound disabilities who are likely to need long-term specialist service provision to people with lower support needs and greater potential for community participation and inclusion. The HSE, through its Occupational Guidance Service, works with schools, service providers, service users and families to identify the needs of young people with disabilities who are due to complete their second level education. The aim is to address the needs of individuals in the following ways:
Health-funded rehabilitative training;
Health-funded day services;
FÁS-funded vocational training;
Approval to extend education placement for a specified time.
The demand for day services, including rehabilitative training, for school-leavers continues to grow. The HSE expects that approximately 650 school-leavers will require services in 2012. This year, disability services are required to cater for demographic pressures such as new services for school leavers from within their existing budgets. In previous years demographic funding was provided to meet this need. 2012 budgets have been reduced by 3.7% and the moratorium on staff recruitment gives rise to additional challenges in service provision.
The HSE is currently working with all relevant service providers to maximize the use of the available places. Service providers and the HSE have come together under the auspices of National Consultative Forum to identify how the needs of individuals who require day and rehabilitative training places can be responded to within available resources.
The National Consultative Forum recognises that the key to ensuring that available resources for people with disabilities are used to best effect is through constructive collaboration between non-statutory providers and the HSE. There are already many excellent examples of collaborative working between providers and the HSE in innovatively responding to the needs of individuals. The HSE and disability service providers have agreed that families will be notified by the 10th July if a place is available or if the individual is to be placed on a waiting list. Some funding will be made available through Genio, a non-profit organisation established to support innovative projects that foster social inclusion. The outcome of applications to Genio for funding of initiatives pertaining to school leavers will be made known in the coming weeks.
The HSE and the disability service providers acknowledge that the waiting period is a difficult time for individuals and their families. Every effort is being made to achieve an equitable and sustainable outcome.
