James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 55: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on reports that disability service providers in the West are struggling to provide basic services due to funding cuts; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that respite care will have to be cut, two community houses will have to be closed, three multidisiplinary posts cut and day services charged for and reduced from some persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20302/10]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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My Department and the Health Service Executive recognise the valuable contribution disability service providers make in the West. We are also very much aware of the challenges service providers are experiencing. In this context, it is very important that all providers work creatively and co-operatively with the HSE to ensure the maintenance of the maximum level of services within the funding resources available.

I have been advised that in 2008 / 2009 there was an ongoing requirement on the HSE to review expenditure across all areas and to ensure that maximum efficiencies were achieved in service delivery. The HSE set targets for all statutory and non-statutory organisations to achieve efficiency targets in both years equal to 1% of their budgets in 2008 and 2% in 2009.

In the context of the general economic situation and the financial pressure on the disability service budgets in 2009, the HSE requested service providers to review all non-frontline expenditure, in particular staff travel, expenditure on conferences and seminars, advertising and ensuring maximum value from the procurement of goods and services. There was also a requirement on all providers to review the way in which services are delivered e.g. opportunities for amalgamating services or back office supports, reduction or elimination of expenditure on overtime and/or agency staffing.

In 2010 there is a requirement to achieve further efficiencies in disability services with the national objective of achieving a minimum of 2% efficiency savings from non frontline services.

To date, respite services throughout the West are being reviewed on an ongoing basis, and the majority of Local Health Offices have reported that services are being maintained. In all areas, Disability Managers are working closely with agencies to maintain respite at 2009 levels as far as possible, thereby ensuring that those with the most urgent need for respite services are prioritised.

The HSE is aware that a non-statutory service in Galway has proposals to close two houses as part of a planned reconfiguration of its residential services. This is in line with the current Disability Policy to relocate people to appropriate accommodation. This is an enhanced service and no current service users will be without a service in the future.

I have not received a report from the HSE about the necessity to cut multidisciplinary therapy posts in any of the Local Health Offices in the West, however I will ask the HSE to contact the Deputy directly on this issue.

With regard to charges for day services being implemented by non-statutory service providers, the HSE has no evidence that this is happening. However, the Brothers of Charity in Galway are exploring the option of introducing charges for day services but have not introduced such charges as yet. The HSE in Galway will monitor this situation.

There is no evidence to show that numbers attending day services have decreased in 2010. The HSE will make available additional funding as part of the €19.5m demography funding available nationally to provide additional capacity for new Day, Residential, Respite/PA/Home Support services. Of the €19.5m allocated nationally, a total of €4.57M has been allocated to develop disability services in the West. This will equate to 24 new residential places, 92 new day places and 32,200 home support hours.

The HSE has advised that it will continue to work in partnership with all of the agencies in the West, involving the managers of services where issues arise. This includes engagement regarding their requirements to maintain core service delivery. The HSE accepts that disability service providers in the West are struggling to manage the impact of the service efficiencies it is required to implement as outlined above. The HSE are confident that if services are examined, efficiencies and savings can be sustained without impacting on the provision of basic core services.