Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Disability Services Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020

Wednesday, 3 June 2020

Ceisteanna (701)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

701. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the underfunding of supports for persons with disabilities as a result of the cuts to funding for not-for-profit disability service providers in January 2020. [9366/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives and provide them with greater independence in accessing and choosing the services and supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.   Reflecting this commitment, the 2020 budget for disability services of €2,054.5 million represents an increase of more than 7.2 % over the original 2019 provision.

The HSE’s National Service Plan 2020 provides for general efficiencies to support new and existing service costs.  The HSE and all of the providers it funds are expected to continually review their cost structures to ensure the best use of resources and a focus on the use of these resources for client care to the greatest extent possible.  These efficiencies are to be achieved through the application of a 1% efficiency target to existing budgets across all service areas.

The very significant additional financial resources provided to disability services over the last year, together with the achievement of relatively modest efficiency savings, form part of the financing of the increased service levels set out in the National Service Plan 2020.  Against this background, the HSE is required to ensure that the efficiency targets are achieved in a manner that does not impact on the activity levels set out in the National Service Plan.

The unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 outbreak for health and social care services is recognised by my Department and the HSE.   As Minister of State with responsibility for disability issues, I wish to commend health and social care providers in the disability sector for what has and continues to be a tremendous effort in supporting our most vulnerable members of society,   In relation to disability supports and services, I have been informed that the HSE has confirmed that the budget allocated to each provider funded under Section 38 and Section 39 of the Health Act 2004 by the relevant Community Health Care Organisation (CHO) will remain in place to year end.  This is subject to the provisions within the relevant service arrangement and on-going cooperation regarding the utilisation and deployment of resources to meet priority need within each CHO.

The financial implications of measures taken to mitigate COVID-19 infection are matters which the Department will continue to keep under review in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, as the situation evolves.

Question No. 702 answered with Question No. 665.
Barr
Roinn