Written answers

Wednesday, 11 November 2020

Department of Health

Departmental Budgets

Photo of Verona MurphyVerona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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239. To ask the Minister for Health the breakdown of the disabilities sector budget; the percentage of the budget that will be allocated specifically to transport for service users within the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35738/20]

Photo of Anne RabbitteAnne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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In the Programme for Government, we made extensive commitments to improve the lives of people with disabilities and in doing so, we signalled to those with a disability that we are serious about making a difference. In the first budget of this government, I’m pleased that we have secured significant additional funding to start delivering on those commitments.

We will be investing an additional €100 million in new initiatives in 2021, bringing the total disabilities budget to around €2.2 billion. The increased level of funding in 2021 will build on initiatives currently underway, as well as introducing new ones.

I will be targeting the new funding at five key areas: children’s services, day services, community supports, residential services, and integration. I will now ask the HSE, in preparing its National Service Plan, to examine how these key priorities can be progressed in 2021 within the overall increased envelope of funding for disability services

In addition to the investment outlined in Budget 2021, €20 million is being made available on a once off basis in the current year to support voluntary disability service providers engaged in the Transforming Lives Reform programme. Further information, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, can be found here:

The Deputy also asked about the breakdown of the budget for transport in the disability sector. The HSE has no statutory obligation to provide transport services and funding is not provided. However, some transport supports are provided by the HSE or funded agencies on a discretionary basis. A variety of transport solutions are pursued in each CHO area, including:

Travel training by service providers or families to enable public transport to be used upon commencement of their day programme where applicable.

Service providers provide transport where available capacity exists.

Local transport e.g. Local Link, private bus transport providers and taxis, funded via a combination of service provider, HSE funding, service user contribution, and / or combined funding to meet the transport requirements identified.

HSE local funding, where available, is utilised to support service providers to provide transport solutions for service users.

Families agree to transport service users to service providers.

In general, disability service users are in receipt of disability allowance and are automatically entitled to the Free Travel Pass.

Transport is a theme of the National Disability Inclusion strategy, and Action 104 of this strategy states: 'We will lead a review of transport supports encompassing all Government funded transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities, to enhance the options for transport to work or employment supports for people with disabilities and will develop proposals for development of a coordinated plan for such provision. This plan will have regard to making the most efficient use of available transport resources.”

As part of the mid-term review of the NDIS, there will be a focus on promoting collaborative approaches to cross-cutting issues, and the working group on transport (Action 104), was convened by the Department of Justice and Equality in February 2020, with a focus on identifying opportunities for collaboration between transport and other public bodies to promote greater mobility for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy’s question also refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

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