Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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715. To ask the Minister for Health if a task force was set up by the HSE or his Department to examine individualised funding for persons with disabilities, including intellectual disabilities; if so, if it was completed; the decision made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24808/18]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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In line with a commitment in the Programme for Government I established a Task Force on Personalised Budgets for People with Disabilities on 20 September 2016.

The Task Force consisted of a Strategy Group and an Advisory & Consultative Group.  It included officials from the relevant Government Departments and agencies, HSE, academic and policy experts, stakeholder organisations and a wide range of people with lived experience of disability and disability services (both intellectual and physical).  Its remit was to make recommendations on personalised budgets models which will give people with disabilities more control in accessing health funded personal social services, giving them greater independence and choice in accessing services which best meet their individual needs. A Reference Group comprising people with lived experience of disability and disability services was also established, and the views of this group informed the Task Force deliberations. A public consultation was also held and the outcome contributed to the work of the Task Force.

I received the Report of the Task Force in May 2018 and I am currently considering its recommendations.