Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 211: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reassurances that she can give to the people in County Limerick whose family members are attending an organisation (details supplied) in view of the fact that they are concerned that the proposed cuts to the service will have a major impact on its ability to continue providing the necessary services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26501/10]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's commitment in the area of disability is consistent. Significant additional resources have been provided for services and supports in this area under the Multi-Annual Investment Programme 2006 – 2009, as part of the National Disability Strategy. Overall approximately €1.6 billion is spent annually by the health services on disability programmes (residential, day care, respite, assessments and rehabilitation services).

I am very much aware of the valuable contribution the Brothers of Charity Services make to the provision of services to people with intellectual disabilities in Limerick. During the period 2005 - 2008, the Brothers of Charity Services nationally received over €631 million in funding from the HSE. In 2009, approximately €177 million was provided to fund these services. This sustained level of investment reflects the significant growth and development in the services provided by the Brothers of Charity over the past five years.

Arising from the introduction of cost containment and efficiency measures in the 2010 budget, the HSE advised all agencies providing services on its behalf of their financial allocations for 2010 and the required adjustments. The HSE is aware of the challenges which this reduction in allocations will present to organisations in ensuring they meet the needs of service users and in planning for emergencies that arise throughout the year. In this context, it is vital that all providers work creatively and co-operatively to ensure that the maximum level of services are maintained within the funding resources available.

The HSE plans to maintain access to appropriate treatments and services for clients during 2010 despite current resource pressures. The HSE is very much aware of the importance of respite service provision for the families of both children and adults with disabilities including the impact the absence of respite service provision can have on other services, for example residential and day-care. Respite services throughout the country are being reviewed on an ongoing basis, and the majority of Local Health Offices have reported that services are being maintained, albeit with some difficulty. In all areas, Disability Managers are working closely with agencies to ensure that those with the most urgent needs are prioritised. There has been a continued expansion in the availability of residential support services, particularly planned or emergency centre-based respite services, which have grown substantially. A total of 4,599 people availed of this type of service in 2008, allowing them to continue living with their families and in their communities.

The HSE is working in partnership with the Voluntary Service Providers in dealing with issues that arise from funding allocations, to ensure the needs of service users are prioritised and addressed and that frontline delivery is given priority. Disability Service Providers, including those in the Limerick area, have been asked to submit their plans for the maintenance of service levels within available resources, and to discuss with HSE management how current challenges can be addressed. As part of this process, the Brothers of Charity Services have prepared a detailed document for discussion with HSE personnel at local level. In response to the Brothers of Charity proposal to close one respite service on the 14th June, affecting 19 service-users, local discussions are taking place regarding the implications of this for users of its respite service, and the HSE is endeavouring to ensure that an alternative service will be made available.

The HSE are aware of the pressures the Brothers of Charity Services are experiencing in maintaining existing service levels and responding to the respite needs of service users. While significant changes have been applied to frontline services, in many cases these changes have not necessarily resulted in service reduction, but in a different model of service delivery being applied.

The HSE will continue to work in partnership with the Brothers of Charity in dealing with issues that arise from service cuts, to ensure the needs of service users are prioritised and addressed. However, any planned reductions, must be risk assessed and risk managed by the Brothers of Charity. There are also plans to develop a local forum in Limerick of all service providers (both Physical & Sensory & Intellectual Disability), with a focus on the needs of service users now and in the future.