Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government committed to ensuring that the quality of life of people with disabilities is enhanced and that resources allocated reach the people who need them. We secured a slight increase in the budget for disability services this year but I am not certain that anyone noticed.

Since 2011 and in spite of the prevailing economic conditions, the Government has focussed on protecting front-line health and personal services for people with a disability to the greatest possible extent. In 2014, the HSE has been provided with funding in the order of €1.4 billion to fund the disability services programme. This programme aims to contribute to the realisation of a society where people with disabilities are supported, as far as possible, to participate to their full potential in economic and social life, and have access to a range of quality personal social supports and services to enhance their quality of life. A range of developments and reform proposals, as outlined in the value for money and policy review published in 2012, are being carried out in an environment of effective communications and engagement with all those involved.

The 2014 funding includes an additional €10 million for school-leavers, rehabilitative training graduates, emergency residential placements and €4 million to develop therapy services under the progressing disability services for children and young people aged zero to eighteen programme. In 2015, additional funding will be provided to the HSE to address identified priority needs within disability services. This includes provision for the emerging needs of young people with a disability leaving school and those leaving rehabilitation training who will require a day place. Additional funding will also be allocated to improve services under the progressing disability services programme. Details regarding this funding and its use will be set out in the HSE's 2015 service plan which is currently being finalised.

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