Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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237. To ask the Minister for Health the progress that is being made on implementing the Time to Move on from Congregated Settings - A Strategy for Community Inclusion since the publication of this strategy; the number of persons with disabilities that lived in congregated settings that have been moved to integrated mainstream settings; the amount of funding being allocated for the de-congregation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12595/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The HSE’s report Time to Move on from Congregated Settings – A Strategy for Community Inclusion (2011), proposes a new model of support in the community by moving people from institutional settings to the community. The plan is being rolled out at a regional and local level and involves full consultation with stakeholders.

The programme for Government contains a commitment to continue to move people with disabilities out of congregated settings, to enable them to live independently and to be included in the community. In May 2016, 2725 people lived in congregated settings and our objective is to reduce this figure by one-third by 2021 and ultimately, to eliminate all congregated settings.

The HSE has established a subgroup, under ‘Transforming Lives’,the Programme to implement the recommendations of the Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services, which is developing an implementation plan for moving people from institutions. I welcome the fact that the needs of people moving from congregated settings will be fully taken into account during this process as the model of care for individuals will be based on a person centred plan.

At the end of December 2016, less than 2,600 people with a disability were living in congregated settings. The HSE's 2017 National Service Plan has set a target of 223 to move from institutions in 2017. This will ensure that people are able to move out of congregated settings, and into their own homes in the community. I want to emphasise that the appropriate supports and resources are being put in place to ensure that people are supported as they move out of residential centres.

In addition, I am pleased to note that the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government (DHPCLG) is providing funding under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) to provide suitable accommodation for people transitioning from institutions in 2017. CAS funding will also be available to provide housing for people with disabilities in the community more generally that is not specifically targeted at deinstitutionalisation

This demonstrates the joined up commitment of both Departments to support the de-congregation programme.

As the HSE is responsible for leading out on the recommendations on Time to Move on from Congregated Settings - A Strategy for Community Inclusion, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.