Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group)
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352. To ask the Minister for Health in view of the fact that persons with disabilities lost basic and critical income and service supports during the course of the recession, if she will immediately implement the National Disability Strategy; if she will confirm that persons with disabilities will now be prioritised for funding and services, into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17621/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, the National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan was published in July 2013 by the Department of Justice and Equality, following significant consultation and consideration between relevant Government Departments, representatives of a broad range of disability organisations and persons with a lived experience of disability. The Plan sets out practical measures to advance the National Disability Strategy over the period 2013 to 2015 and to ensure that available resources are used to best effect to meet the needs of people with disabilities.

Progress on the Implementation Plan is reviewed by the National Disability Strategy Implementation Group, which is chaired by the Minister of State with special responsibility for Equality. The Implementation Group brings together representatives of the relevant Government Departments and representative organisations, including the Disability Federation of Ireland, and also a number of people with disabilities.

The Minister for Social Protection has responsibility for the payment of income supports to people who have a disability. I am informed that all primary welfare payments have been fully maintained for 2015. Future social welfare spending will be considered in the context of next year's Budget.

The Government is committed to protecting frontline health and personal social services needs for people with disabilities and is providing approximately €1.5 billion to the Disability Services Programme in 2015.

As set out in its National Service Plan for 2015, the HSE is seeking to maximise the provision of services within available resources and to maintaining a consistent level to that provided in 2014, by providing the following specialist services to people with a disability:

- residential services to around 9,000 people;

- day services to over 22,000 people;

- respite residential support totalling 190,000 overnights;

- 3.9 million Personal Assistant/Home Support hours.

Additional funding of €6 million has been allocated this year (with a full year cost of €12m) to provide day places for an estimated 1,500 young people finishing school and rehabilitative or life-skills training. €4m in additional funding (with a full year cost of €6m) has also been allocated in the Plan to deliver an increase in the services for children with disabilities and reduce waiting lists under the Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18s) Programme.

It is not possible to comment on HSE funding for disability services in 2016 in advance of the completion of the Estimates cycle for 2016.