Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 529: To ask the Minister for Health if the findings of the value for money report due at the end of this month will in fact prompt more investment when value is identified and divestment when it is not (details supplied). [30902/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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As indicated by the Deputy, the funding of disability services by the Department of Health is the subject of a detailed Value for Money and Policy Review as part of the Government's Value for Money Reviews for the period 2009 to 2011.

As part of the overall VFM review, a separate Expert Reference Group on Disability Policy was established to look specifically at existing disability policy and whether it needs to be changed to better meet the expectations and objectives of people with disabilities. As part of this review, a public consultation process on existing disability services was also undertaken which confirmed that people with disabilities and their families, more than anything else, are looking for more choice in the services they receive and more control over how they access them.

The report proposes a very significant reframing of disability services towards a model of individualised supports, underpinned by mainstreaming of all public services. On this basis, State funding would be allocated based on an independent assessment of individual needs. Following the needs assessments, individual support plans would then be drawn up and individualised budgets allocated from which the supports and services needed would be purchased.

A number of mechanisms are proposed to achieve this, including a broker system where the person, or his/her family, has the choice and control but the broker administers the budget and commissions supports and services on their behalf, or direct payments where the person or family manages the budget and purchases the supports themselves. This process should, over time, result in a rebalancing of resources from the services which are less effective to services which support the achievement of quality outcomes within a value for money framework.

The Expert Reference Group's Report has now been released for the public and interested parties to have their say and I would encourage all those with an interest in this area to make their views on the future direction of disability services known.

The VFM exercise is due to be completed by year end and it is then my intention in conjunction with Minister Reilly to ensure that proposals for the future of our disability services are brought to Government.