Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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124. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the current reviews of disability services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43417/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I understand that the Deputy is referring to the the Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services (VFM Review) and the reconfiguration of services for children and young people with disabilities aged 0 to 18 years, under the National Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People Programme.

The implementation of the VFM Review is a multi-year project which will result in very significant changes to the way in which services and supports for people with disabilities are delivered. The Health Service Executive (HSE) is responsible for delivering the recommendations contained in the VFM Review and has given the implementation of these recommendations top priority.

The Working Groups established to support the implementation of the reform process have commenced work in the following areas:

- strategic planning (including evaluation of demonstration projects which have been initiated as proof of concept);

- implementation, oversight and support which includes key reforms in the following areas: adult day services, de-institutionalisation and reconfiguration of services for children and young people with disabilities aged 0 to 18 years;

- people with disabilities and community involvement;

- quality and standards;

- management and information systems;

- governance and service arrangements.

In relation to the disability services for children and young people aged 0 to 18 years, the HSE is currently engaged in a reconfiguration of therapy resources into multi-disciplinary geographic based teams for children and young people, as part of the National Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People Programme. As mentioned above, implementation of this reconfiguration is being overseen and monitored under the VFM process. The aim of the Programme is to achieve a national, unified approach to delivering disability health services so that there is a clear pathway to services for all children, regardless of where they live, what school they go to or the nature of their disability.

The Programme is organised at national, regional and local level and includes representatives from the health and education sectors, non-statutory service providers and parents. An additional €4 million has been specifically allocated in 2014 for implementation, which equates to approximately 80 therapy posts. Details of additional funding to be allocated in 2015 to improve services under this Programme will be set out in the HSE's 2015 Service Plan.