Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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333. To ask the Minister for Health with regard to the move towards a person-centred model of services and supports for disability services, when the initiation of demonstration projects as proof of concept commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54778/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services (VFM Review) which I published in 2012 envisaged that migration to the person centred model would be by means of demonstration projects, developed as proof of concept, and run in parallel with current services, following which their suitability for wider application would be evaluated.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) and disability agencies are already working on demonstration projects at locations throughout the country aimed at giving service users greater choice and control. A significant number of the projects underway show how aspects of the new policy will work in practice and will provide a substantial contribution towards the transition to the new model of person-centred supports. These projects initiated by a range of service providers with the support of the HSE and Genio involve many different aspects of a more person-centred way of delivering day and residential services. An analysis of the projects will commence towards the end of 2014 to determine their wider applicability, clarify the issues which must be resolved before the projects can be scaled up, and identify the best way forward.

A total of 110 demonstration projects have been grant-aided by a non-profit organisation, the Genio Trust,with funding provided by the HSE, during the period 2010 – 2013 broken down as follows:

Projects to move/keep people out of institutional care by supporting them to live as independently as possible in the community, resulting in institutional closure;

Active integration of people with disabilities into mainstream work, third level education and leisure activities;

Measures to strengthen and build networks of support comprising family, friends and neighbours offering alternative respite;

Empowerment of people with disabilities to take control of their own lives and strengthening of strategic advocacy particularly on the part of people with disabilities.