Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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664. To ask the Minister for Health if he will clarify the reason allowances in all disability day care centres were stopped by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11490/23]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.

Under the New Directionsday service policy, all HSE funded Day Services are expected to be provided on an equitable basis, while also ensuring that the use of finite resources is maximised. There is a strong overlap between the day supports now provided as part of the New Directionsapproach and the programmes being offered by Rehabilitative Training.

The clear policy rationale of not making the Rehabilitative Training bonus payment to new entrants is to ensure access to high quality services to those who need them, on an equitable basis. Since September 2019, new entrants no longer receive the bonus payment, in line with those attending similar training programmes.

Individuals already in receipt of the bonus payment will continue to receive it for the duration of their course. Most people with disabilities are now in receipt of the Disability Allowance (€220 per week) paid through the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

The savings made from the phasing out of the Bonus payment are ring fenced to facilitate provision of additional full and part time day placements nationally, based on priority need.

The HSE has advised the Department that by January 2022, service users had commenced in 55.8 new adult day placements and 78 people received an uplift to their day service, using the ring fenced monies saved by the phasing out of the RT bonus. Some RT bonus savings monies were also used during the period of COVID-19 restrictions in day services on a once off basis to support the resumption of day services.

Each of these places has enhanced the lives of people, and their families. Enhanced service hours are enabling service users to be part of their local communities and enjoy greater choices about how they spend their time, while providing valuable social opportunities for families. In addition, adults who were heretofore not in receipt of any service are now engaging with their communities and experiencing new opportunities, having previously been socially isolated.