Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2015
697. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the services that are available to young adults with intellectual disabilities; the capital funding that is being made available for organisations providing services to young adults with intellectual disabilities; if he will provide suitable buildings, premises and accommodation for residential services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37574/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) funds a range of day services and supports to enable people with disabilities, including young adults, to live full and independent lives. The vision for the HSE 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 to enhance their quality of life.
The provision of appropriate day placements for young adults with disabilities is a key priority in the HSE’s Social Care Operational Plan for 2015. Each year the HSE, through its Occupational Guidance Service, works with schools, service providers, young people and their families to identify training needs and explore suitable options for school-leavers and those leaving rehabilitative (lifeskills) training.
The Government currently provides funding of almost €1.5 billion to the HSE’s Disability Services Programme for a range of services, including residential and day services and supports. Of this amount, €12 million was allocated to meet the full year costs of new day services for school leavers and those graduating from rehabilitative training programmes this year, of which €6 million was made available from September 2015. An additional €1.5 million has since been added by the HSE to the overall allocation making a total of €13.5 million full year costs available to meet the needs of this cohort of young people. A further €1.5 million once-off capital funding was also allocated by the HSE for the provision of suitable buildings, premises and accommodation.
This funding was allocated to Community Healthcare Organisation areas, in line with identified needs, and according to the HSE’s policy on day services for adults with a disability. This policy, which is set out in New Directions - Report on the National Working Group for the Review of HSE funded Adult Day Services proposes that health-funded day services for people with disabilities, including young adults, should be based on the principles of person-centredness, community inclusion, active citizenship and high quality service provision.
The HSE is currently in the process of preparing its 2016 National Service Plan and is not in a position to comment on the funding details or quantum of services to be delivered in respect of residential services for people with disabilities in 2016. However the HSE will continue to seek to maximise the provision of health and personal social services, including residential services and supports, within existing resources.
