Written answers
Thursday, 15 November 2012
Department of Health
Services for People with Disabilities
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to representations regarding St Micheal's House, Dublin 9; the impact that past cutbacks have had on the services offered by them to the community and the potential impact that further cuts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50671/12]
Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Expenditure on health services for people with a disability in 2012 will be around €1.4 billion.
In the case of disability services, the HSE National Service Plan 2012 provides for a 3.7% reduction in budgets but makes it clear that there is scope for achieving efficiencies of 2% or more through measures such as consolidation and rationalisation of back office costs. All providers will be expected to achieve some efficiency savings but the level of savings required will vary depending on the profile of the service provider, efficiency savings achieved to date and the scope for further savings. Some reductions in day services, residential and respite services will be unavoidable even with such efficiencies. The aim will be to tailor such reductions to minimise the impact on service users and families as much as possible.
In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
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