Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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133. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52501/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The Health Service Executive's ( 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. A congregated setting is defined as a residential setting where people live with ten or more people.

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.

Just under 2,500 people with a disability remain living in congregated settings. 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. The model of care for individuals will be based on a person centred plan (PCP). The PCP may change over time in line with an individual’s needs and circumstances and the model of service delivery applicable at a particular time.

I am pleased to note that the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government is providing funding under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) to provide suitable accommodation for people transitioning from institutions in 2017. CAS funding is also available to provide housing for people with disabilities in the community more generally that is not specifically targeted at deinstitutionalisation. HSE Managers at Community Health Organisation level engage with Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to provide a letter of approval confirming that they are supportive of the application and this it is in line with national guidance for housing of people with disabilities. 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 Deputy's question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.