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

The HSE, either directly or indirectly through a range of voluntary and private service providers, provides a range of assisted living services including PA and home support services. Some 80% of specialised disability provision is delivered through non-statutory sector service providers. PA services provide one-to-one support to people with physical disabilities in their homes and communities by trained, professional personal assistants. The PA service facilitates a person’s independence, improves their quality of life, and supports them to participate in their local community. In 2024, 80,000 additional hours have been funded, bringing delivery to approximately 1.77 million PA hours supporting more than 2,600 adults across the country.

Currently, each CHO has a process to manage applications and referrals for PA services. The needs of the individual, compliance with prioritisation criteria and the level of resources available determine allocation. As with every service, there is not a limitless resource available for the provision of home support services, and while the resources available are substantial, they are finite. While many individuals are adequately provided for by their current level of support, many would benefit from more support hours if they were available.

Acknowledging this unmet need, the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026, published by the Department in December, commits to the delivery of 110,000 additional home support hours between 2024 and 2026 to address shortfalls in services and support people with disabilities to live at home, in line with Article 19 of the UNCRPD. The action plan also commits to 800,000 additional personal assistance hours in the same period. A policy review of PA services in light of the UNCRPD, with a working group involving key stakeholders and disabled persons' organisations, to develop formal policy and service description is under way.

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