Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he intends to introduce a personal budget model in order that persons with intellectual disabilities have the flexibility to make choices that suit their own needs best; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17180/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The move towards a model of funding which is linked to individual need, also referred to as a personal budget model, is encompassed by the recommendations in the Value for Money (VFM) and Policy Review of Disability Services which I published last year.

An individualised payments model is one aspect of individualised budgeting, which describes an approach whereby a monetary value is placed on the supports required by an individual with disabilities to live a fulfilled life. It may be implemented in many ways, but the essence of individualised budgeting is that the individual is given more choice and control over how the money allocated to meet their needs is utilised. This approach must be underpinned by a standardised needs assessment to ensure fairness and transparency in the way in which funding is allocated.

The Department of Health and the Health Service Executive will pursue the issue of individualised budgeting in the context of the implementation of the recommendations contained in the VFM Review. The priority is to further improve current services, while expediting the analysis of the benefits to be gained from newer models of individualised supports through demonstration projects which will be evaluated for wider applicability. The balance and emphasis will shift firmly and comprehensively towards these new models of individualised supports once sufficient analysis of the benefits is carried out in the Irish context and adequate financial management, resource allocation and governance structures are in place to ensure their long-term viability.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health the current status of the Assessment of Need provision under the Disability Act 2005; if he will outline a timeframe for extending this provision as per the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17181/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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In 2006 a Cross-Sectoral Team was established to provide for a joint approach by the Department of Health and the Department of Education and Skills to the implementation of the Disability Act 2005 and the Education for Persons with Special Education Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004. The Team now includes a representative of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 provides disabled individuals with an entitlement to an independent assessment of need and a statement of proposed services to be provided, and allows them to pursue a complaint and, if necessary, make an appeal to the independent Disability Appeals Officer. Part 2 of the Act was commenced on 1 June 2007 in respect of children under the age of five. It had been intended to have both the Disability Act 2005 and the EPSEN Act 2004 fully implemented during 2010 for children and young people aged up to 18. However, in 2008 the then Government decided, in light of financial circumstances, to defer further implementation of both Acts. Notwithstanding this the Cross-Sectoral Team continues to meet to address issues of mutual concern for children with disabilities.