Written answers

Thursday, 17 December 2020

Department of Health

Disability Services Provision

Photo of Mark WardMark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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506. To ask the Minister for Health the person or body being prioritised for home-based supports at the present time; the criteria being applied to determine priority; the way in which this is likely to change over the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44450/20]

Photo of Anne RabbitteAnne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The presence and threat of COVID-19 in Ireland has resulted in significant challenges for service providers, families and most importantly, people with disabilities. The Government and the HSE are aware that the changes in service delivery have resulted in significant stressors being placed on families and individuals with disabilities across Ireland.

Whilst the pandemic is ongoing, the Government continues to be committed to working to ensure that People with Disabilities be allowed to live an independent life of their own choosing, the same as any other person, and this is consistent with the disability reform policy - “transforming lives”.

The area of disability services is a priority area for this Government. To support people with a disability, significant resources have been invested by the health sector in disability services, and the Government has ensured that an additional €100 million is being provided for new disability measures next year under Budget 2021.

In preparing for and responding to COVID-19 and to fully align with Public Health guidance as recommended via the NPHET, the HSE and its partner service providers put in place a range of measures, which included the prioritisation of vital Residential and Home Support services whilst curtailing or closing certain services such as day services, respite services, and certain clinical & therapeutic supports.

The number of people in receipt of PA and Home Support services has remained steady throughout the pandemic. The number of PA hours provided up to end September 2020 (Q3) has exceeded the expected target as a result of additional PA hours being provided in lieu of other services and is on schedule to deliver NSP levels of service by year end. Home Support Services are slightly down on target to date, due to the complexity involved in the provision of services due to COVID-19.

Resource allocation is determined by the needs of the individual, compliance with prioritisation criteria, and the level of resources available. It is important to note that the level of service delivered is varied to ensure that each client’s needs are reflected. PA and Home Support Services are provided either directly by the HSE or through a range of voluntary service providers. The majority of specialised disability provision (80%) is delivered through non-statutory sector service providers.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Photo of Mark WardMark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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507. To ask the Minister for Health his plans regarding the resumption of care and support of the person with the disability in order that families can return to work and education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44451/20]

Photo of Anne RabbitteAnne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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All day service locations with the exception of those being utilised as COVID-19 Isolation or testing centres have reopened since August.

There are currently 7 day service locations nationally that are being used for COVID-19 isolation or testing centres: one in CHO1; two in CHO2; one in CHO3 and three in CHO9.

Service users that usually received their supports from these locations are now either receiving supports at another location or receiving outreach or home-based supports. A further location will resume as a day service location in the coming weeks as an alternative COVID-19 test facility has been procured.

Day services re-opened at 39% capacity throughout August and early September. For the duration of the COVID-19 emergency day service capacity is reduced, this is due to the physical limitations of the buildings available, the lack of mainstream community activities, and the continued restrictions imposed by social distancing guidance. Many people with disabilities have underlying health conditions, and as the threat of COVID-19 remains, unfortunately so too does the need for these restrictions.

In September, Minister Donnelly and I announced that €7.5 million is being made available in 2020 to increase disability day services by one day a week for 14,940 adults. I also secured funding under the Budget to maintain this increase in 2021.

The funding will be used to augment staffing levels so that adults that currently live at home with their families will receive an average of an additional day of service at a day service location over and above what they have been receiving since day services resumed in August. Chief Officers were asked to immediately progress plans with the service provider sector to expedite the recruitment of the staff in this regard.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

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