Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:160. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the current reviews of disability services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9521/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 4 March 2015
Ceisteanna (160)
Freagraí scríofa
I understand that the Deputy is referring to the Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services (VFM Review) and the reconfiguration of services for children and young people with disabilities aged 0 to 18 years, under the National Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People Programme.
This is a time of change in the delivery of disability services in this country, and a major transformation programme is underway. The implementation of the VFM Review is a multi-year project which will result in very significant changes to the way in which services and supports for people with disabilities are delivered. The Health Service Executive (HSE) is responsible for delivering the recommendations contained in the VFM Review and has given the implementation of these recommendations top priority in the National Service Plan for 2015, with actions and targets outlined in the Social Care Operational Plan for 2015.
The Working Groups established to support the implementation of the reform process are continuing their work on a range of inter-connected and challenging projects, including work on the development of the guidelines for evaluation of demonstration projects and the production of a policy appraisal project plan. The Working Groups are also making progress on implementing recommendations on reform of adult day services, de-institutionalisation and 0-18s therapy services.
The VFM Review envisaged that the transformation process would be guided by demonstration projects, developed as proof of concept, and run in parallel with current services, following which their suitability for wider application would be evaluated. The HSE and disability agencies are already working on demonstration projects aimed at giving service users greater choice and control and testing how aspects of the new policy will work in practice. Taking into account the number and diversity of demonstration projects underway, an extensive evaluation process will be initiated by one of the Working Groups and this will guide the final shape of the disability services reform programme.
In relation to disability services for children and young people aged 0 to 18 years, the HSE is currently engaged in a reconfiguration of therapy resources into multi-disciplinary geographic based teams for children and young people, as part of the National Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People Programme. As mentioned above, implementation of this reconfiguration is being overseen and monitored under the VFM process. The aim of the Programme is to achieve a national, unified approach to delivering disability health services so that there is a clear pathway to services for all children, regardless of where they live, what school they go to or the nature of their disability.
The Programme is organised at national, regional and local level and includes representatives from the health and education sectors, non-statutory service providers and parents. An additional €4 million has been specifically allocated in 2014 for implementation, which equates to approximately 80 therapy posts. Further investment of €4 million will be made in 2015 (equating to €6 million in a full year).