Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 February 2024
493. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the recent funding challenges faced by WALK’s residential services and what steps are being taken to ensure the continuity of quality care for vulnerable individuals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7690/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to thank the Deputy for raising this important matter.
WALK, provides day services to over 230 adults with an intellectual disability and is also an important provider of residential services in Dublin 12 for 27 people with disabilities or mental health issues. I acknowledge the good work being done by WALK for service users and their families
WALK is funded under Section 39 of the Health The organisation’s service agreement is with the HSE, and it is the HSE which has operational responsibility for oversight of delivery of services in accordance with the service agreement.
In 2023 WALK was in receipt of over €8m in funding from the HSE. I understand that funding is one of a number of issues that is under active consideration by the HSE with the organisation. In 2023 WALK was in receipt of over €8m in funding from the HSE.
I am informed by the HSE that an amount of funding was withheld from WALK in 2023, due to service users being transferred to nursing home placements or in acute hospital due to a decline in health.
2023 has seen work done by the HSE with WALK. Early in the year the HSE commissioned a Service User Review of the organisation’s services, with a focus on funding and its utilisation. The draft report has been shared with the organisation’s CEO.
I am informed that there is ongoing engagement between the HSE and WALK. A meeting took place between the WALK CEO, the HSE Head of Disability Services, and their management teams earlier this month.
The management teams have agreed to work together to progress a programme of work under the following themes:
- funding,
- residential placements,
- the governance and staffing structures of the organisation,
- risk assessment and safeguarding issues,
- and clinical input.
The HSE and WALK will consider these areas to agree a Service Improvement Plan to work together to address matters raised.
It is important that the engagement that is currently underway is supported, that the parties are given space to address concerns, and that the engagement continues.
My department and the HSE are committed to ensuring that appropriate funding is available to give stability to voluntary organisations that provide essential services for people with disabilities, such as WALK.
Funding of almost €2.9 billion for Disability services has been allocated for 2024, providing the basis to continue to improve access to enhanced disability services throughout the country.
The overall increase in recent years from €1.7 billion at the close of 2017 to close to €2.9 billion in 2024, reflects the Programme for Government commitment to improving the lives of people with disabilities, signalling to those with a disability that this Government is serious about making a difference.
