Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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315. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to increase personal assistant hours for persons with disabilities in 2019; the specific budget increase that has been earmarked for this; the number of additional hours this increase will provide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50173/18]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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As the HSE's National Service Plan for 2019 has not yet been finalised, a final decision with regard to the quantum of personal assistance hours to be delivered has not yet concluded, but will be agreed shortly.

It is the policy of the HSE to provide Personal Assistant services that are person-centred, equitable and transparent to people with a physical and/or sensory disability. The HSE is committed to protecting the level of Personal Assistant services and Home Support services available to persons with disabilities.

In 2018 the HSE's priority is to provide 1.46 million hours of personal assistance to almost 2,500 people, representing an increase of 60,000 hours over the 2017 target, and having regard to Home Support services will provide 2.93 million hours to both adults and children with a disability this year, an increase of 180,000 hours over the target for 2017. Since 2013 the number personal assistance hours has increased by 17% to the end of 2017.