Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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168. To ask the Minister for Health if he will support the Disability Federation of Ireland in its efforts to redress cuts to incomes and services in 2015 - 2016 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17180/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Disability Federation of Ireland raises a wide range of issues relating to people with a disability in their correspondence. A number of the issues raised are relevant to other Departments and Ministers. My answer relates to the provision of health services.

The Government values the role which people with disabilities play in Irish society and is committed to facilitating the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the life of the community through access to individualised personal social supports and services. In 2015 we will continue to support the major transformation programme underway in disability services, as set out in the Value for Money and Policy Review, and in particular, the reconfiguration of residential services. Continued emphasis will also be maintained on enhancing quality and safety, especially through implementation of the HIQA standards for residential settings, reform of adult day services and children's therapy services, planning for emergency places and changing needs, maximising efficiencies and further development of enhanced governance and accountability arrangements. Our focus is to bring about reforms that will positively impact on the way in which people with disabilities are supported to live the lives of their choice. This will require changes to governance, funding, focus of provision, realignment and reconfiguration of resources as new and sustainable models of service are implemented to meet the changing needs of service users and increased demographic pressures.

Funding of almost €1.5 billion will be provided for health and personal social services through the Health Service Executive’s National Service Plan for 2015. Residential services are provided by almost 60 agencies to around 9,000 people with disabilities at over 1,200 locations, ranging from large congregated settings to community group homes to supported independent living. Day services are provided to around 22,000 people with intellectual, physical or sensory disabilities and autism at 850 different locations by 80 organisations. Approximately 1,400 young people who are due to leave school and Rehabilitative Training programmes in 2015 will receive new placements. In 2015, an additional €6 million has been allocated in the HSE National Service Plan to provide places for these school leavers and graduates. Respite residential support totalling 190,000 overnights will be provided. The target for provision of personal assistant/home support in 2015 is 3.9 million hours. A variety of other services are also provided under the Disability Services Programme, including respite, early childhood/family support, community based medical, nursing and therapy services, rehabilitative training, aids and appliances.

The Minister’s priorities include moving people from institutions to homes in the community and reconfiguring adult day services based on individualised and person-centred supports. In addition, work is advanced on the re-configuration of therapy services for children aged up to 18 years as part of the Executive's Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18 years) Programme. The aim of this Programme is to achieve greater equity of access and consistency of service delivery and a clearer pathway for all children with disabilities (including autism) to services, according to need. An additional €4 million was allocated in 2014 to assist in implementing the Programme, equating to approximately 80 additional therapy posts. Further investment of €4 million will also be made to support the development of therapy services in 2015 (equating to €6 million in a fully year).