John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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398. To ask the Minister for Health the progress he is making in ensuring that the level of funding required to continue the services approved by the L'Arche Community in County Kilkenny is put in place; the number of meetings held by his Department and the Health Service Executive to resolve this issue; if he is aware that the L'Arche Community is faced with possible and imminent closure due to the lack of funding; if he will request the Executive to provide a positive and early response to the L'Arche Community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41501/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Government is committed to protecting frontline health and personal social services needs for people with disabilities. The Government currently provides funding of approximately €1.5 billion to the Disability Services Programme through the Health Service Executive's National Service Plan for 2015.

In 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 disability services:

- residential services to around 9,000 people with a disability;

- day services to over 22,000 people with intellectual and physical disabilities;

- respite residential support of 190,000 overnights for people with intellectual and physical disabilities;

- 3.9 million hours of Personal Assistant / Home Support Hours.

Additional funding of €6 million has been allocated in the HSE National Service Plan in 2015 to provide day places for an estimated 1,400 young people finishing school and rehabilitative (life-skills) training. €4m in additional funding 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.

The HSE provides funding to L'Arche Community for the provision of health and personal social services under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004. My Department has not held any formal meetings with the HSE in relation to the current difficulties facing L'Arche. However, I am aware of the financial challenges facing L’Arche Community at this time and that the HSE has been in ongoing contact with the management of L’Arche in an effort to find a solution to these difficulties.

I understand from the HSE that these difficulties stem from compliance issues with the regulatory environment, which require that the model of service previously provided by L’Arche be reviewed and enhanced. The HSE has been working with all voluntary service providers on improving compliance during 2015, addressing the highest risk areas as a priority. These efforts will continue in 2016 and preparation of the HSE’s Service and Operational Plans will be underpinned by a focus on making the best use of the resource invested in disability services.

I have been assured by the HSE that it will continue to work with L’Arche Community and be as supportive as possible within current financial constraints.