John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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956. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to allocate funding to service providers that accommodate children with disabilities moving into adult services; if so, when this funding will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13825/17]

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. 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 contains a commitment to ensuring that all 18 year old school leavers with intellectual and physical disabilities have continued education or training opportunities. Many of these young people will progress to mainstream education, training or employment but others will require continuing HSE-funded support services.

The process of meeting the needs of around 1,500 school leavers and Rehabilitative (Life-skills) Training graduates who require a HSE-funded day service in 2017 has commenced and has been further refined building on the learning from the 2016 planning process. To ensure that needs are met, additional funding of €10 million is being allocated by the HSE to provide appropriate services and supports. A standardised process for the identification of support needs has been put in place and a profiling exercise has commenced with each individual in order to ascertain their needs and preferences. It is intended that families and service users will be notified by the end of May of the placements which will be made available to them.