Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 February 2014
219. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the reason a full-time residential placement used currently by a patient four nights a week cannot be shared by another patient willing to use it three nights a week; the number of times that full-time care is provided and only used part time; and the amount this costs the State. [9764/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe vision for the Health Service Executive's Disability Services Programme is to contribute to the realisation of a society where people with disabilities are supported, as far as possible, to participate to their full potential in economic and social life, and have access to a range of quality personal social supports and services including respite care to enhance their quality of life.
The Health Service Executive National Service Plan 2014 and the recently published 2014 Operational Plan for the Social Care Division outline the quantum of specialist services, the key reform initiatives and the additional investment in 2014 which it has assured me will give effect to this vision in 2014. The HSE will spend €1.4 billion and employ a staff level of approximately 15,000 whole time equivalents in 2014 to provide specified levels of services.
In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
