Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

797. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the Health Service Executive requires a receipt with proof of travel as part of the application for reimbursement of financial expenses for patients from here who have availed of medical procedures or operations across the Border; his view on whether forms that are completed by the relevant hospital or clinic confirming that a procedure or operation took place on a given date should suffice. [38074/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

798. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons with disabilities who have been allocated a personal assistant; are currently waiting to be allocated a personal assistant; are waiting in excess of six months; are waiting to be assessed for a personal assistant; the number of personal assistant hours allocated to persons with disabilities in 2013, 2014 and 2015 to date; his views that budget 2016 will increase the number of personal assistants and personal assistant hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38076/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Health Service Executive (HSE) funds a range of assisted living services, including Personal Assistant services, to support individuals to live full and independent lives. In the 2015 HSE National Service Plan, the HSE's priority is to provide 1.3 million hours of Personal Assistant services to adults with a physical or sensory disability. The projected outturn for 2015 is 1.4 million, which compares with 1.34 million hours in 2014 and 1.29 million hours in 2013.

The Government currently provides funding of almost €1.5 billion to the Disability Services Programme, through the HSE's National Service Plan for 2015.

Any increases in demand for Personal Assistant services due to demographic pressures and changing needs, must be met within the level of resources available. The HSE is currently in the process of preparing its 2016 National Service Plan and is not in a position to comment on the funding details or quantum of services to be delivered in the 2016 disability services programme for children and adults. However the HSE will continue to seek to maximise the provision of health and personal social services, including Personal Assistant services, within existing resources.

I have referred the element of the Deputy's question regarding the numbers of people both availing of and waiting for Personal Assistant services to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.