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

I thank Senator Gallagher for raising this important issue and giving me the opportunity to respond to the House today. The Government's ongoing priority is the safeguarding of vulnerable people in the care of the health service. We are committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. Significant resources have been invested by the health sector in disability services in recent years. This year alone, the Health Service Executive has allocated €1.9 billion to its disability services programme.

As part of its ongoing service provision, the HSE will provide over 8,500 residential places this year to families in need right across the country. In fact, residential services make up the largest part of the disability budget. Our policy is for people with disabilities to be supported to achieve their full potential so that, where possible, they can live ordinary lives in ordinary places doing ordinary things.

The need for increased residential facilities is acknowledged and the HSE continues to work with agencies to explore various ways of responding to this need in line with the budget available. With regard to the particular centre mentioned by the Senator today, I am advised by the HSE that a procurement process for an external service provider to run the HSE Respond group home in Carrickmacross has been completed. After the closing date, tenders from a number of service providers interested were assessed and one has met the criteria. However, the cost of provision greatly exceeded the budget available to the HSE to deliver the service. The HSE community healthcare organisation, CHO 1, has engaged with that provider with a view to bringing the cost of provision in line with the available budget. However, this has not been successful. CHO 1 has sought the additional funding required to open this group home through the 2020 Estimates process. As it has not been notified to date of its 2020 budget allocation, CHO 1 is not in a position to confirm a start date for this service. The budget has increased to more than €2 billion this year. Residential services are very important. I will bring this matter forward in the process of dealing with the service plan.