Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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278. To ask the Minister for Health the disability services within the Sláintecare plan; when multi-annual funding will commence for the disability sector; the individual planning pathway for those currently in the disability sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40941/19]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The Sláintecare Action Plan 2019 outlines a number of commitments in relation to disability services and the wider social care area. One of the main items is the commitment to establish future needs for people with a disability. This work is underway and it will provide the basis for future planning in disability services. There is also a commitment to continued reform of disability services under a range of established programmes, under Transforming Lives including Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People, New Direction Day Services and Time to Move on from Congregated Settings.

A key feature in the Reform Programme is the development of person centred services. This policy is clearly evident in community settings where people have successfully transitioned from large institutions. In addition, as part of the New Directions policy , the HSE has published a National Framework for Person-Centred Planning in Services for Persons with a Disability. This publication supports the target contained in the 2019 HSE Service Plan:- "Implement the person-centred planning framework in four disability day service provider organisations, and review and evaluate the process with a view to wider application."

The Sláintecare Implementation Strategy also commits to reforming the funding system to support new models of care and drive value to make better use of resources. Department of Health officials are currently examining the feasibility of introducing a multi-annual budgeting process including examination of international best practice in relation to the implementation of multi-annual budgeting in healthcare systems.