Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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712. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which his Department will interact with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in relation to psychosocial disabilities once the transfer of disability functions is complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51292/22]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Health Service Executive funded specialist community-based disability services are delivered to about 56,000 people or 9% of those with a disability. Policy functions and funding responsibility relating to specialist community-based disability services will transfer to the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (MCEDIY), and the responsibility for the delivery of these services will be retained within the Health Service Executive.

The Department of Health is committed to commencing the transfer as soon as possible.

The HSE provides specialist community-based disability services through a suite of interventions including early intervention, multi-disciplinary therapies, habilitation, rehabilitation and behaviour support, staffed supported housing, respite/short breaks to support carers, day services and support for community engagement, personal assistance, home help and assistive technology. Access to disability support services is based on need, not on a specific diagnosis.

There will no change in service provision or delivery for those in receipt or seeking to access HSE Disability Services once the transfer of functions takes place.