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.

The HSE have advised that they are establishing a Working Group to address issues in PA services, which will develop a model of service, scope and access criteria. This group will include representatives of the primary stakeholders including disabled people.

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.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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108. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps being taken to ensure recruitment and retention of staff in the disability sector, particularly in section 39 organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32070/23]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department recognises that many organisations funded under Section 39 are experiencing challenges in the recruitment and retention of staff. These challenges are mirrored in many of the health and social care professions across the State. The sustainability of the sector who deliver valuable services through their staff on our behalf is a concern for both the Department and the Health Service Executive (HSE). 

Notwithstanding that the employees of Section 39 organisation are private sector employees with no employment relationship with the HSE, Tusla or my Department, a process of engagement to examine the pay of workers in community and voluntary organisations was committed to by the Government in October last year and we remain fully committed to the process.

Prior to the summer recess I intend to bring proposals to Government, jointly with the Minister for Health, seeking to effectively support section 39 and section 56 service providers to address the staff recruitment and retention issues currently affecting the sustainable provision of services by these organisations.

In terms of ongoing engagement, I also want to highlight to role of the Dialogue Forum with Voluntary Organisations was established in 2019 by the then Minister for Health with the aim of building a stronger working relationship between the State and the voluntary healthcare sector for the benefit of patients and service users. The Forum facilitates regular dialogue with the voluntary sector on future policy and strategic developments. The Forum recently developed and agreed a set of Partnership Principles. These provide the foundation for the future relationship between the State and the voluntary sector and demonstrate a shared commitment to strengthening this relationship.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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109. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on disability services for children in both Cavan and Monaghan; if there are plans to increase services in these counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32504/23]

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.