James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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244. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to sustain the programme of individual placement and support beyond the service reform fund funding period; if joint funding with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has been considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52083/19]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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The Individual Placement and Support (IPS) employment model is an evidence-informed approach to supported employment for people who have severe mental health difficulties. It supports individuals to remain in or gain access to employment and at the same time supports employers to address recruitment and retention issues.

The IPS model, which is currently funded through the Service Reform Fund, is being used by the HSE to enhance social inclusion outcomes for service users by providing meaningful engagement with employment which is an enabler for personal recovery.

A national data collection system has been implemented and this will feed into an overall evaluation of the efficacy of IPS in achieving the desired objectives. Subject to a positive evaluation of the model, discussions will be held with stakeholders to consider how best to extend the programme into the future.