Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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13. To ask the Minister for Health the progress of the new system for providing services for school leavers with a disability; if it is providing greater choice for the school leavers and their families; if his Department is liaising with the Department of Education and Skills concerning greater third level options for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14661/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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In 2014 a coordinated and streamlined approach was developed to manage the process of providing services and supports to young people based on their individually expressed preferences and assessed needs. Additional funding of €7 million was allocated for this purpose. As a result, almost 1,400 young people with disabilities who finished school or rehabilitative training received placements which fully met their needs.

The Health Service Executive is committed to providing services for school-leavers again this year and is working with schools, service providers, young people and their families to identify training needs and explore suitable options for those graduating in 2015.

Planning has commenced in respect of all school-leavers and rehabilitative training graduates to ensure that needs are identified and appropriate services are provided to young people with disabilities. The HSE has confirmed that all young people and their families will be notified by the end of June of the placement that will be available to them from September. Additional funding of €6 million (at a full year cost of €12 million) has been allocated in the Social Care Operational Plan 2015 to meet the needs of over 1,400 young people who will require continuing health-funded supports.

In line with the National Disability Strategy and the Government's mainstreaming policy, responsibility for education and training for people with disabilities is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills. Many young people with disabilities will progress to further education or vocational training funded by that Department and some young people may continue to receive health-funded supports depending on their individual needs and abilities. The Department of Health is in regular contact with the Department of Education and Skills on childrens' disability issues through the cross sectoral team arrangements that are in place.