Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 171: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reasoning behind the reduction by the Health Service Executive of €4 million from the budget of an organisation (details supplied) in Dublin 7, one of the immediate effects of which will be the closure of a respite house; if the budget for disabilities and special needs is being allowed a separate entity within the HSE when money is being allocated by the Department of Health and Children. [26243/10]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 182: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive is withdrawing funding from a facility (details supplied) in Dublin 7; if programmes and services for intellectually disabled clients are being cut; if staff numbers are being cut back thereby compromising this valuable service; the reason parents were only just informed of these cuts without prior adequate warning. [26310/10]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 182 together.

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 (MAIP) 2006 – 2009, as part of the National Disability Strategy. Overall approximately €1.6 billion is allocated by the HSE and is spent annually on disability programmes (residential, day care, respite, assessments and rehabilitation services). With the exception of service development funding allocated under the M.A.I.P., under the Health Act 2004, it is a matter for the HSE to decide on the most effective allocation of resources to meet the health and personal and social support needs of the population, including the needs of people with disabilities. The National Service Plan which is laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas sets out the quantum of services, including disability services, to be provided in any financial year by the HSE out of resources allocated to it.

I am very much aware of the valuable contribution the Daughters of Charity services makes to the provision of services to people with intellectual disabilities in Dublin. During the period of the Multi Annual Investment programme, the Daughters of Charity Services received funding from the HSE in the region of: 2005 €85.126 million 2006 €94.748 million 2007 €101.301 million 2008 €106.790 million 2009 €110.542 million This sustained level of additional investment reflected the significant growth and development in the Daughters of Charity Services throughout this period.

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 service providers, including the Daughters of Charity, are experiencing and the particular difficulties facing all health services in 2010. In this context, it is vital that all providers work creatively and co-operatively to ensure that the maximum level of services are maintained for service users within the funding resources available.

The HSE plans to maintain access to appropriate treatments and services for clients during 2010 despite the current resource pressures. 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. It is recognised that the maintaining of service levels within available resources will require significant levels of co-operation, change, flexibility and creativity. The HSE will continue to work 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.

Disability Service Providers have been requested to submit their plans for the maintenance of service levels within available resources taking the following into consideration:-

Review all items of expenditure which do not immediately and directly impact on frontline services and consider where rationalisation can be effected in other areas

Review the manner in which services are delivered

Identify any opportunities to reduce costs by sharing services and or activities with other Agencies (statutory or non-statutory)

Reduce cost of back office administration functions, all other unnecessary costs, and consider rationalisation of general management structures

The HSE will continue to work with the voluntary service providers to streamline costs, further identify and improve areas where efficiencies can be achieved that do not impact on frontline service delivery.