Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

194. To ask the Minister for Health the number of personal assistant hours funded in each of the years 2010 to 2016, and to date in 2017; the locations in which they were funded; the average number of hours provided by location; his plans to increase funding for additional hours; the reason there is no nationwide structure and no standard approach to allocating hours; the reason the number of hours varies from location to location; if this is being reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31987/17]

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

The Government is committed to providing services and supports to 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 a Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles, equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is committed to protecting the level of Personal Assistant services available to people with disabilities. In their National Service Plan for 2017, the HSE expects to deliver 1.4 million Personal Assistance hours to 2,357 adults with a physical and/or sensory disability.

As the Deputy's query relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for a more detailed direct reply to the Deputy.