Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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150. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration has or will be given to providing an allowance to polio survivors for physiotherapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47185/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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I am aware of the impact of the late effects of polio on survivors and I acknowledge the valuable work of the organisation, Polio Survivors Ireland, formerly the Post Polio Support Group, which was established nearly 25 years ago to provide support to polio survivors and their families. The organisation's awareness raising and information provision along with their support of polio survivors at work and in the home, is recognised as a vital support to survivors. In 2017, the organisation received funding in the region of €356,000 from the HSE under Section 39 of the Health Act, 2004, to support the work of the organisation.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) funds a range of health and personal social services and supports, incorporating hospital, primary care and community services, to enable each individual with a disability, including polio survivors, to achieve their full potential and maximise independence, including living as independently as possible. Services are accessed based on need and delivered in a variety of community and residential settings, in partnership with service users, their families and carers, and a range of statutory, non-statutory, voluntary and community groups.

My Department has no plans to introduce an allowance for polio survivors to access physiotherapy services. However, physiotherapy services form part of the services provided by many Primary Care Teams and, in particular, physiotherapists play a key role in chronic disease management, especially in instructing and guiding patients through safe and appropriate exercise regimes. Physiotherapy services for adults are also delivered through specialist disability providers. I have asked the Health Service Executive to provide the Deputy with details regarding the health and personal social services provided to polio survivors.