Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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16. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the Disability Federation of Ireland's recent statement that the disability community has not been protected throughout the previous budgets; his further views on the introduction of a package of measures to increase supports for those with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20756/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Disability Federation of Ireland statement raises a wide range of issues relating to people with a disability. 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. My response will refer specifically to health service supports.

In 2015, we will continue to support the major transformation programme underway in disability services, and in particular, the reconfiguration of residential services, including moving people from institutions to homes in the community and reconfiguring adult day services based on individualised and person-centred supports. 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.

Funding of almost €1.5 billion will be provided for health and personal social services through the HSE’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. 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 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.

In addition, work is advanced on the re-configuration of therapy services for children aged up to 18 years as part of the HSE's Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18 years) Programme.An additional €4 million was allocated in 2014 to assist in implementing the Programme, equating to approximately 80 additional therapy posts. A further investment of €4 million will also be made to support the development of therapy services in 2015 (equating to €6 million in a full year).