Francis Noel Duffy (Dublin South West, Green Party)
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63. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures being taken to alleviate the high rates of vacancy across children's disability services which is affecting the role of children's disability network teams. [17097/23]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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As this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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64. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will reform the distribution of personal assistant, PA, hours to enable parity of services across CHO areas, meeting the social, personal and employment needs of those who avail of PA services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25991/23]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The Personal Assistant (PA) service was developed to provide a service for adults with physical disabilities that enables them to live their lives as independently as possible and take decision making control. The person with the disability either directly employs the PA or is involved in the process of selecting the PA to work with them. The person with the disability determines the support they need and the activities they need support with. PA and Home Support Services are provided either directly by the HSE or through a range of voluntary service providers.

In accordance with the National Service Plan 2023, the HSE will deliver an additional 70,370 personal assistant hours to expand and enhance the supports for people to live self-directed lives in the community.

As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.