Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator. To give the broader picture, in 2017 some 1.4 million personal assistant hours were provided for 2,400 people. With regard to the data question on the assignment of PAs, which is important, it is collated on an aggregate basis at present. The HSE can provide gross figures for the number of PA hours and the number of persons in receipt of personal assistance. The HSE is currently developing a national system that will facilitate better management information reporting in the disability sector, which will then resolve the question posed. In the context of the agreed 2017 national service plan, the HSE expects there will be a total of 1.4 million PA hours provided for more than 2,000 people with disability, representing an increase of 100,000 hours over the 2016 target of 1.3 million hours.

Second, in respect of the expected delivery of service for 2018, service planning processes are currently under way given that the budget for 2018 has just been presented to the Oireachtas. It is not possible, therefore, to give the number of PA hours that will be provided at present. However, PA supports will continue to be a core aspect of the service provision funded and provided by the HSE. It is important to clarify that a key principle underpinning the provision of PA services relates to service user self-direction, in terms of the locus of control being with the person accessing the support. I feel strongly about this. The overarching aim of the PA service is to facilitate individuals to maximise their capacity to live full and independent lives. The service aims to provide for this by way of supporting people to live in community based settings and to access facilities and services, including engagement with community based education, training and employment service providers.

The HSE and I accept the value of further developing the role so there is a consistency of approach and to ensure that the principle of self-direction is universally understood and applied. The social care disability operations team at national level will lead a process to achieve this in consultation with the service users and service providers.