Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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222. To ask the Minister for Health if reimbursement of Covid-19-related costs will be forthcoming to disability service providers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35657/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Government has agreed to allocate substantial additional funding to the Health Vote to meet the costs associated with the implementation of the measures outlined in the National Action Plan in response to COVID-19. Specific action has been taken at my request and that of Minister Rabbitte, to relieve Disability service providers of the necessity to achieve a 1% efficiency target in 2020.

The HSE, through the Community Healthcare Organisations (CHOs) is actively engaging with any disability service providers who are experiencing financial challenges, including access to cash acceleration, where appropriate, to maintain continuity of service provision. The HSE has also given disability service providers assurances that budget allocations confirmed to each provider via the relevant CHO, will remain in place to year end, subject to co-operation with the HSE and compliance with the relevant Service Arrangements. The HSE has put in place a structured governance process through which Section 39 organisations experiencing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, can make submissions for financial and non-financial supports, as appropriate.

Other supports provided by CHOs to Section 38 and Section 39 organisations providing disability specialist services between March and May 2020 include:

- PPE and Infection Prevention and Control support, advice and training;

- Public health advice and support with regard to suspected or positive cases;

- Isolation facilities allied to testing, funding for emergency residential placements and;

- Logistics in the form of transport and accommodation.

The HSE will continue to work in partnership with all service provider organisations to ensure the best level of service possible is provided to people with a disability, and their families, within the resources available. As the Deputy's question deals with organisations providing services to the HSE, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.