Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

408. To ask the Minister for Health if transport services will be provided for a person (details supplied) to attend a facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30114/18]

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

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

As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

409. To ask the Minister for Health if a blind person can receive a direct payment in lieu of personal assistant hours in order that they can purchase a flexible personal assistant service to meet their specific needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30115/18]

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

There are currently no means by which a person can receive a direct payment to purchase a personal assistant service. However, as the Deputy may be aware, 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 consider people whose primary disability was physical or sensory, intellectual, autism, neurological or any combination of these and 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. The Report, which I intend to publish in the near future, will outline the next steps for the development of personalised budgets in Ireland.