Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made to date towards making a direct payments system available to those persons with disabilities who would prefer to be the direct employer of their personal assistant rather than contracting this role to a service provider; if he will report on the experience of the trials undertaken to date; if he will make the introduction of a direct payment option a priority; and if he will indicate a timeframe within which a direct payments system will be rolled out as an option. [9910/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Government's central policy objective for people with disabilities is that people should be supported "to lead full and independent lives, to participate in work and society and to maximise their potential". In line with this policy, the Government's Programme for National Recovery 2011–2016 contains a commitment to "ensure that the quality of life for people with disabilities is enhanced and that resources allocated reach the people who need them.".

Research, both international and national, confirms that the needs of people with a disability are most appropriately met and provided in their home and community and that this provides a more sustainable model for the provision of care. The Government's commitment to people with disabilities is one whereby the focus of any supports should be based on individual need as much as possible and, while there is no "one size fits all" solution, the focus of supports should favour the individual rather than an organisation or service provider.

A review of the efficiency and effectiveness of disability services funded from the health Vote is currently underway and will be completed later this year. As part of this review an expert reference group was established to review current policy in relation to disability services. Although it is important not to pre-empt any recommendation that may arise out of this process, a key theme emerging is the need for a shift in funding from organisations to individuals. This might or might not involve the transfer of actual funds to the individual. While direct payment may be considered in the future, a shorter term goal would be the transfer to the individual of choice and control over support and care decisions through the mechanism of individualised budgeting.

I understand that the Health Service Executive is supporting a direct payments model for two people with a disability in the Cavan-Monaghan area. In addition, my Department through the Genio Trust is supporting a new innovative initiative for five individuals to manage and direct their personal assistant supports by receiving direct payments to purchase the supports they decide they need. The evaluation of this initiative will inform the implementation of the policy proposals currently being developed.