Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As my colleagues have pointed out, this new wave of the virus has not spared any sector of society and unfortunately, that is also true for people with disabilities as well. I have been granted three minutes, which is only time to give the House a high-level overview of the significant work that is ongoing.

Last week, in light of the increased levels of Covid-19 transmission rates in the community, the HSE issued revised guidance measures for the disability services. The revised guidance reflects the Government's intention that disability services will remain open at each level of the resilience and recovery framework, subject to evolving public health guidance. I am keenly aware of the need for these services to remain open as they are a crucial support for service users and their families. It is also important to acknowledge the great work of the service providers in striking the balance between protecting service users and staff. Service providers have been asked not to take unilateral action on the provision of services and to ensure that robust communication plans are put in place. This ensures that each service user and his or her family has a clear understanding of how services may be impacted during the current restrictions. Residential home support and personal assistant services continue to be prioritised and delivered, subject to a revised risk assessment, public health guidance and direction.

On respite services, I can confirm that those with complex medical and clinical needs are to remain at home, while every effort will be made to provide home support where possible, subject to risk assessments and prioritisation. Therapy services for children with disabilities will continue to be provided, either remotely or face to face, as appropriate. The provision of assessment of needs continues to be a priority and each community healthcare organisation will continue to evaluate its plans on an ongoing basis. Since the start of this pandemic, a level of service continues to be provided for adults and paediatric referrals to each speech and language, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and other therapy service for those referrals that were considered to be a priority.

Extra funding has been provided to build capacity in the adult day services and to extra staff. This will ensure that the maximum service will continue to be provided at a scale that can be provided safely to those most in need. Day services continue to be prioritised and delivered, subject to a risk assessment, public health guidance and direction. Those with complex medical and clinical related needs are to remain at home. Providers have been in contact with the families and one of the recurring themes that I would like to bring up is that I have been working closely with the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, in respect of the vaccination. We have talked at a high level with the HSE and Dr. Kelleher on this and it is being continuously reviewed.

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