Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 April 2016
514. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health his plans to restore the cutbacks to services and supports for persons with disabilities following the end of austerity economic policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5890/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government continues to be committed to facilitating the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the life of the community through access to individualised personal social supports and services. This year the Government will provide €1.56 billion for health-funded services and supports to enable each individual with a disability to achieve their full potential and maximise their independence. The quantum of service to be provided, together with key deliverables and priorities, are outlined in the HSE’s National Service Plan for 2016. The HSE is committed to protecting front-line services for people with disabilities, with targeted improvement in priority areas:
- the reconfiguration of children's therapy services, for which an additional €4m has been provided;
- the provision of services for 1,500 young people on leaving school and rehabilitative training, which has been allocated an additional €7.25m;
- the development of alternative respite models, with €1m targeted funding;
- the reconfiguration of residential services, supported by €20 million in capital funding, and
- quality improvements to increase compliance with National Standards for Residential Centres for Children and Adults with Disabilities.
Disability service provision is moving towards a community-based and inclusive model of person-centred supports, as recommended in the Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services in Ireland, and is being implemented through the Transforming Lives programme. This transformation programme means that person-centred and individually chosen community based supports are progressively becoming the norm, and is a distinct move away from the group-based, often segregated approach of the past. This new approach will be underpinned by a more effective method of assessing need, allocating resources and monitoring resource use.
The allocation of dedicated capital funding of €100m for disability services over the period 2016–2021 (including the €20m in 2016 for reconfiguration of residential services), together with the establishment of a Service Reform Fund which has been agreed between Atlantic Philanthropies, the DoH, HSE (Social Care and Mental Health Services) and Genio will support the phased transition to the person-centred model of services and supports.
