Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 742: To ask the Minister for Health if his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the provision of personal assistants for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11391/12]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides a range of assisted living services including Personal Assistant services to support individuals to maximise their capacity to live full and independent lives.

In 2011, a total of 1.68 million personal assistant/home support hours were provided to 11,571 persons with physical and/or sensory disability. Although the funding allocated to disability services has been cut by 3.7%, the HSE aims to maintain this level of service in 2012. Service efficiencies will be achieved through a process of negotiation with service providers around the unit cost of providing the service rather than reducing the number of hours or the pay of personal assistants.