Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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101. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the provision of extra day services for persons with physical disabilities in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath; when services will resume to full operation following Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31082/20]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The HSE began planning for the resumption of adult disability day services in May, and services have now resumed nationwide. Public health guidance was specifically developed to underpin the safe resumption of services, and this guidance was published in July.

The guidance developed to support the resumption of adult day services has had to take account of social distancing rules which has meant that there is a reduced number of people in each service location. This means that, when day services re-opened they re-opened at approximately 40% capacity. However, the HSE is committed to maximising the support that can be provided within these restrictions.

The government will be investing an additional €100 million in new initiatives in 2021, bringing the total disabilities budget to around €2.2 billion. Regarding day services specifically, this additional investment will build the capacity of our adult disability services nationally, including services in Cavan, Monaghan and Meath, and will increase day services by one day a week, for those whose services were reduced due to COVID-19. It will also support around 1,700 young people who leave school and training programmes in 2021.

This is in addition to the €7.5 million being made available to support the resumption of day services which I announced in September.

The HSE gathered data at the end of September on the quantum of services currently being provided to individuals, and this will act as a baseline to track additional service levels.