Written answers

Thursday, 24 October 2019

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

National Advocacy Service

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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324. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of advocates in the National Advocacy Services for People with Disabilities; the estimated full-year cost of increasing the number of advocates by five, seven, nine and ten staff, respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44086/19]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities (NAS) provides an independent, confidential and free, issues-based representative advocacy service that works exclusively for the person using the service and adheres to the highest professional standards. NAS has a particular remit for people with disabilities who are isolated from their community and services, have communication differences, are inappropriately accommodated, live in residential services, attend day services or have limited informal or natural supports.

The number of advocates in NAS is 39 (8 senior advocates  and 31 advocates).

NAS is funded and supported by the Citizens Information Board (CIB), which has a mandate under the Citizens Information Act 2007 to provide advocacy for people with disabilities. The NAS operational grant from the Citizens Information Board for 2019 amounts to € 3,250,952.

Based on 2019 costs, the following table shows the estimated full-year cost of increasing the number of advocates by 5, 7, 9 and 10.  

Number of additional advocates Minimum Salary (Gross salary, PRSI and Pension) Estimated provision for overheads including office space, training, insurance, travel and  subsistence Total
5 €251,576 €75,000 €326,576
7 €352,206 €105,000 €457,206
9 €452,836 €135,000 €587,836
10 €503,151 €150,000 €653,151

The figures do not include provision for any additional administrative or managerial costs that may arise from a possible increase in advocate posts as estimated.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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