Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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120. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the task force that was to be established within three months of the formation of the Government to examine the issue of personalised budgets; if this task force has been established; if so, if it has met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31114/16]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The establishment of a Task Force on Personalised Budgets is key to progressing the Government's objective of providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide them with 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. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I established the Task Force on 20 September last.

The Task Force has two components - a Strategy Group and an Advisory & Consultative Group - and its remit will be to make recommendations on a personalised budgets model which will give people with disabilities more control in accessing health funded personal social services, giving them greater independence and choice in accessing services which best meet their individual needs. The Task Force comprising both the Strategy Group and Advisory & Consultative Groups met in plenary session on 13th October. The Strategy Group and Advisory & Consultative Groups also met separately on 20th September and 6th October respectively and I attended the commencement of both meetings to impress upon the participants the importance I attach to their work and to wish them every success in their endeavours.