Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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Question 214: To ask the Minister for Health the rationale behind the recent cut of 3.7% in funding for the personal assistance service; the way this will impact on those with disabilities and leaders; if he will ensure that best practice is maintained and the Health Information Quality Authority guidelines followed to ensure that every PA has adequate training in dealing with leaders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11965/12]

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.

As the Deputy's question regarding best practice, training and standards relates to service matters, I have arranged for that part of the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 215: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding changes to the rate paid in respect of the rehabilitative training bonus to participants in the national learning network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11966/12]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The decision to reduce the top up payment made to people with a disability attending rehabilitative training was implemented by the Health Service Executive (HSE) without informing the Department of Health. The reduction from €31.80 per week to €20 per week, from the 1st January 2012, was communicated to the HSE Local Managers in advance of the Minister approving the National Service Plan for 2012.

I acknowledge that this proposed measure sought to bring consistency to the top up bonus paid to people attending the HSE rehabilitative training scheme with similar payments paid in other State training schemes.

Any reduction in payments to individuals requires adequate advance notice to enable the recipients and indeed, service providers, to take the reduction into account in planning their support needs and other arrangements.

It should also be noted that people with a disability attending Rehabilitative Training are usually in receipt of a State payment such as the Disability Allowance.

Accordingly, the HSE agreed to my request to review its decision, and it has recently submitted a Report on the matter which is under consideration in my Department.