Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2016
501. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the way engagement will take place with families and persons concerned in relation to Time to Move on from Congregated Settings - A Strategy for Community Inclusion (details supplied); his plans to accommodate the persons who will not want to move from their current setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30747/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE’s report “Time to Move on from Congregated Settings – A Strategy for Community Inclusion”, (2011) proposes a new model of support in the community by moving people from institutional settings to the community. The plan is being rolled out at a regional and local level and involves full consultation with stakeholders.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to continue to move people with disabilities out of congregated settings, to enable them to live independently and to be included in the community. Currently, 2725 people live in congregated settings and our objective is to reduce this figure by one-third by 2021 and ultimately, to eliminate all congregated settings.
The HSE has established a subgroup, under 'Transforming Lives', the Programme to implement the recommendations of the Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services, which is developing an implementation plan for moving people from institutions. I welcome the fact that the needs of people moving from congregated settings will be fully taken into account during this process as the model of care for individuals will be based on a person centred plan.
The HSE's 2016 National Service Plan has set a target of 165 people to move from institutions in 2016 into suitable accommodation. Earlier this year, I announced that we are providing €100 million in capital funding from now until 2021 in respect of acquiring and renovating properties in priority institutions identified by the HSE. This will ensure that people are able to move out of congregated settings, and into their own homes in the community. I want to emphasise that the appropriate supports and resources are being put in place to ensure that people are supported as they move out of residential centres.
In addition, I am pleased to note that the Department of the Environment is providing €10 million under the Capital Assistance Scheme to provide suitable accommodation for people transitioning from institutions in 2016. The HSE estimate that a further 100 people could benefit from this initiative. €1 million in ring-fenced leasing funding is also being made available by the Department of the Environment in 2016 to support people moving from institutions into suitable social housing in the community. This demonstrates the joined up commitment of both Departments to support the de-congregation programme.
The HSE has developed a three strand approach to accelerate transitions from institutions in the period 2016-2021, with a target of 900 people to move to more suitable accommodation in this period.
- Strand 1- is focused on large institutional settings at high risk of not meeting HIQA Standards;
- Strand 2- is focused on moving people into suitable social housing in the community through the Department of Environment schemes; and
- Strand 3- is focused on remaining service users in congregated settings who could move to suitable accommodation.
I can assure any concerned residents or family members that the process of moving a person with disabilities out of a congregated setting is not something that happens overnight. This process of moving people to more suitable accommodation in the community will take place over a number of years, and will be done in full consultation with all residents and their families.
As the HSE is responsible for leading out on the recommendations on "Time to Move on from Congregated Settings - A Strategy for Community Inclusion", I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
