Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1042. To ask the Minister for Health the way the €16.2 million emergency funding in budget 2017, that was to assist providing home supports and personal assistant hours for new cases for persons with intellectual and physical disabilities, was spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20264/17]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1043. To ask the Minister for Health if there has been a provision for extra home help hours or personal assistance hours for persons with physical or intellectual disability in 2017; if his Department has been in discussions regarding outstanding requests or needs in respect of demands for these services in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20265/17]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1042 and 1043 together.

In 2017, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is committed to maximising the provision of health and personal social services, including home support services, within available resources. In its National Service Plan for 2017, the HSE is providing an additional €5.5 million towards Home Support/Personal Assistant Hours, which will enable the Executive to deliver:

- 2.75 million Home Support hours, an increase of 150,000 hours over the last year's target of 2.6 million hours; and

- 1.4 million Personal Assistance hours, an increase of 100,000 hours over the 2016 target of 1.3 million hours.

In addition, €16.2 million is being provided for new emergency cases in 2017, including a new initiative for Home Support/In-Home respite for emergency cases.

As the allocation of this funding is an operational issue I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.