Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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301. To ask the Minister for Health the number of personal assistant hours currently provided by the State; the cost associated with same; the estimated cost over one year of increasing personal assistant hours by 500,000 hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12149/16]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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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. This 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.

In the 2016 National Service Plan, the Health Service Executive's (HSE's) priority is to protect the level of services provided in 2015 and to provide 1.3 million hours of Personal Assistant services at a cost of approximately €30 million and 2.6 million hours of home support at a cost of €52 million, to over 2,000 adults with a disability.

As the Deputy's question regarding the cost of increasing Personal Assistant hours relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred 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.