Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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789. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding day care services for adults with special needs and disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25291/20]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the overall effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 and in line with public health advice, day service locations closed in March.

Since then, HSE Disability Services have been working to develop national guidance on the part of the disability sector to direct how all day services can be delivered. The Guidance to support the Framework for the Resumption of Adult Disability Day Services was published by the HSE on 8th July 2020.

In developing the guidance document to guide providers, the HSE worked closely with service providers through representative organisations such as the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers, Disability Federation of Ireland and the Not for Profit Association, in addition to Inclusion Ireland, who represent people with intellectual disabilities and their families.

The guidance document seeks to support the safe return of services in the context of ongoing public health guidance. It also recognises that the impact of public health guidance will result in services being provided at a reduced level and will require changes in how people are supported, increased use of technology where appropriate and more use of outreach supports.

The HSE has reviewed and validated business cases from disability services providers for additional funding to support the reopening of services, which will be considered as part of its funding request for the Estimates process.

Day services gradually resumed during August and early September. Service providers are working reopen day services safely, and in line with public health guidance. Service providers have been in touch with all families and service users to discuss when they may expect the resumption of their service and what that service will consist of.

The Guidance to support the Framework for Resumption of Adult Disability Day Services is available on the New Directions website: www.hse.ie/newdirections. The HSE have also issued monthly communications updates for service users and their families, and the latest update, a video message from the Head of Strategy and Planning HSE Disability Services, is available at the above link.

An information portal that contains the dates on which the 966 disability day service locations will reopen around the country is now available. Service users and families can access this information on www.hse.ie/newdirections

I want to acknowledge the many challenges experienced by individuals and their families over this difficult time. Families across the country have had their routines upended due to the impact of COVID-19 and I hope that this will be the first step towards returning to some sense of normalcy.

As services resume, capacity in day service locations will be reduced. However, the HSE and service providers will keep this measure under review and as public health guidance evolves, capacity to provide supports will adapt accordingly. Both the HSE and service providers are committed to maximising the support that can be provided within these restrictions.