Mark Ward
Ceist:667. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the future allocation for personal assistance in 2023 based on the disability capacity review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23131/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 10 May 2022
Ceisteanna (667)
Freagraí scríofa
The Department of Health published the Disability Capacity Review in July 2021. This report set out the capacity requirements for health-funded disability services for the period up to 2032. In order to drive the process of implementing the recommendations of the Capacity Review, a Working Group was set up to develop an Action Plan for Disability Services for the period 2022-2025. This Group, whose membership consisted of senior officials from the Departments of DCEDIY, Social Protection, Housing, Further and Higher Education, Health, and the Health Service Executive, has now completed its work and the draft Action Plan is currently being finalised for approval.
In recent years, significant resources have been invested by the health sector in disability services, and the Government has ensured that an additional €105 million is being provided for new disability measures this year under Budget 2022. These measures will include 120,000 additional hours of Personal Assistance supports.
The 2022 National Service Plan outlines the HSE's commitment to deliver 1.7m hours of Personal Assistance hours to 2,587 people.