Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

663. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the allocation of funding for students leaving a school (details supplied); why the Health Service Executive has not corresponded with concerned parents regarding funded adult education and training placement services with effect from 30 June 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9489/16]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. The commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. With regard to the provision of day services for school-leavers with disabilities, the Programme for Partnership Government says that the Government is committed to ensuring that all 18 year old school leavers with intellectual and physical disabilities have continued education or training opportunities.

The process of planning for the needs of around 1,500 young people with disabilities and autism who will require continuing health-funded supports on leaving school or rehabilitative (life-skills) training this year commenced in September 2015. To ensure these needs are met, funding of €7.25m is being allocated by the HSE to provide appropriate services and supports. Once off funding of €2 million is also being provided for the refurbishment and fit-out of buildings to provide suitable service locations by September, based on an assessment of the physical capacity within existing services to accommodate the additional numbers. A standardised process for the identification of support needs has been put in place and a profiling exercise has now been completed with each individual in order to ascertain their needs and preferences.

As the remainder of the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (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.

Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

664. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the allocation of funding for a service (details supplied); why the Health Service Executive has not corresponded with concerned parents about funded adult education and training placement services with effect from 30 June 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9490/16]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. The commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. With regard to the provision of day services for school-leavers with disabilities, the Programme for Partnership Government says that the Government is committed to ensuring that all 18 year old school leavers with intellectual and physical disabilities have continued education or training opportunities.

The process of planning for the needs of around 1,500 young people with disabilities and autism who will require continuing health-funded supports on leaving school or rehabilitative (life-skills) training this year commenced in September 2015. To ensure these needs are met, funding of €7.25m is being allocated by the HSE to provide appropriate services and supports. Once off funding of €2 million is also being provided for the refurbishment and fit-out of buildings to provide suitable service locations by September, based on an assessment of the physical capacity within existing services to accommodate the additional numbers. A standardised process for the identification of support needs has been put in place and a profiling exercise has now been completed with each individual in order to ascertain their needs and preferences.

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (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.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

665. To ask the Minister for Health to continue the funding of the walk peer programme under the disability activation project, given that otherwise the programme will close, resulting in a group of young persons who have taken the difficult steps into mainstream further education, training and employment options being without support from 1 August 2016 and as a result applying to the Health Service Executive for expensive day service places, and given that the cost to the Exchequer of continuing this initiative is €280,000 per year while the cost of ceasing it could be as high as €1,704,000 per year. [9571/16]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Employment activation projects for all citizens, including citizens with a disability, are the responsibility of the Minister for Social Protection. I understand that the WALK Peer Project referred to was funded by the Department of Social Protection and any decision on the continuation or otherwise of its funding would be a matter for that Department.

Adult day services for people with a disability are an operational matter for the HSE. As that aspect of the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (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.