Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Vocational training services for people with disabilities, including training for the open labour market, comes under the aegis of the Minister for Education and Skills. Many young people with intellectual disabilities avail of this option. Life skills training for people with disabilities who have continuing support needs are the responsibility of the HSE. If the Deputy has any specific information regarding the training centre in Dunboyne, he is welcome to contact the Minister of State’s office with further details. The Minister of State will undertake to get back to him with an early response.

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with all levels of disabilities, whether they require education funded training services or health funded life skills training, which will empower them to live independent lives, provide them with greater independence in accessing the services they choose, as well as enhancing their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. The commitment to disability services is outlined in the programme for partnership Government, which is guided by two principles, namely, equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

With regard to the provision of day services for school leavers with disabilities, the Programme for a Partnership Government states the Government is committed to ensuring all 18 year old school leavers with disabilities have continued education or training opportunities. These opportunities may be provided through the education sector or the health sector depending on the nature of the individual’s needs and abilities.

My colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities, Deputy Finian McGrath, identifies the needs of school leavers as one of the priorities for HSE funded disability services. The Government fully recognises that the transition phase from school life to early adulthood is a time of worry for many families. In 2016, all school leavers received the quantum of service requested. To build on this success and to ensure the needs of school leavers are met in 2017, including the need for life skills training, additional funding of €10 million is being allocated by the HSE to provide appropriate services and supports. Based on the funding provided in regard to 2017 school leavers, it is expected that all young people with disabilities who have a requirement for a HSE funded day service after leaving school in 2017 will be facilitated with a day placement to meet their needs.

I fully agree with Deputy Thomas Byrne. As public representatives, we are contacted by the parents of children with intellectual disabilities asking that we facilitate their needs as best we can. Ensuring that those people are looked after should be a central policy of Government. I agree entirely with the Deputy that many families and many parents and grandparents are very worried about what the future holds for many of these young people with disabilities. They may have to continue to depend on a life-long service provided by the HSE. I agree with the Deputy that I have not been specific in the reply I gave but I only received it a few minutes ago. I will relay his concerns to the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath.

See this speech in context