Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Disability Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 July 2020

Thursday, 23 July 2020

Ceisteanna (304)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

304. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when full access to disability day services will be restored; his views on whether additional funding and capacity will be needed to achieve same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17898/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As part of the overall effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 and in line with public health advice, day service locations closed in March.

Since then, HSE Disability Services have been working to develop national guidance on the part of the disability sector to direct how all day services can be delivered. The Guidance to support the Framework for the Resumption of Adult Disability Day Services was published by the HSE on 9 July 2020.

In developing the guidance document to guide providers, the HSE worked closely with service providers through representative organisations such as the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers, Disability Federation of Ireland and the Not for Profit Association, in addition to Inclusion Ireland, who represent people with intellectual disabilities and their families.

The guidance document seeks to support the safe return of services in the context of ongoing public health guidance. It also recognises that the impact of public health guidance will result in services being provided at a reduced level and will require changes in how people are supported, increased use of technology where appropriate and more use of outreach supports. The HSE is committed to maximising the support that can be provided within these restrictions and providers are exploring options such as the use of other community facilities to augment capacity.

Day services will gradually resume during the month of August. Service providers are already working to get day services ready to reopen safely, and in line with public health guidance. Service providers will be in touch with all families and service users during the month of July to discuss when they may expect the resumption of their service and what that service will consist of.

I want to acknowledge the many challenges experienced by individuals and their families over this difficult time. Families across the country have had their routines upended due to the impact of COVID-19 and I hope that this will be the first step towards returning to some sense of normalcy.

The Guidance to support the Framework for Resumption of Adult Disability Day Services is available on the New Directions website: www.hse.ie/newdirections. The HSE have also issued monthly communications updates for service users and their families, the latest leaflet “Adult Disability Day Services and COVID-19 - What’s Happening? July 2020” is available at the above link.

In relation to additional funding and capacity, the Government has agreed to allocate substantial additional funding to the Health Vote to meet the costs associated with the implementation of the measures outlined in the National Action Plan in response to COVID-19.

The HSE, through the Community Healthcare Organisations (CHOs) is actively engaging with any Section 38 and Section 39 disability service providers who are experiencing financial challenges, including access to cash acceleration, where appropriate, to maintain continuity of service provision where cash flow issues arise. Organisations receiving funding from the HSE should raise any concerns in relation to financial issues that may have implications for continuity of service provision with the relevant Community Health Care Organisation (CHO) responsible for the service arrangements.

The HSE has also agreed a structured approach to addressing the financial challenges of Section 39 service providers due to COVID-19. The objective of the programme is to provide a structured governance process and modus operandi through which Section 39 partners experiencing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency can engage through the HSE to ensure, where appropriate, continuity of essential services provided by these agencies. The HSE has also developed a methodology to provide a pro forma approach to support decision making in respect of Section 39 Organisations that have made submissions to the HSE for both financial and non-financial supports during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The HSE has advised the Department that it has given Section 38 and Section 39 providers of disability services and supports assurance that budget allocations confirmed to each provider via the relevant CHO, will remain in place to year end, subject to co-operation with the HSE and compliance with the relevant Service Arrangements.

Other supports provided by CHOs to Section 38 and Section 39 organisations providing disability specialist services between March and May 2020 include PPE; Infection Prevention and Control support, advice and training; Public Health advice/support with regard to suspected/positive cases; Isolation facilities allied to testing, funding for emergency residential placements, logistics in the form of transport and Accommodation. In addition, COVID response teams were put in place to assist and support residential service providers during the pandemic. These teams will now oversee and support the reshaping of disability services as a result of COVID 19.

A critical focus at this time is the assurance of value for money in delivering on the required patient services and population health needs to effectively manage COVID-19 infection within the Irish context. Accordingly, the financial implications of measures taken to mitigate impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak are matters which the Department of Health will continue to keep under review in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, as the situation evolves.

Barr
Roinn