Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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1452. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current situation with the personalised disability budgets pilot project; the number of people currently receiving this service; the number of staff members currently employed on this project; if there is a plan to increase the number of individuals who can avail of personalised budgets within the current pilot scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38626/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The pilot Personalised Budget Project is open to adults with a disability who are currently in receipt of HSE funded services across a broad spectrum of services, including day services, residential services and respite services. It provides participants with more control in accessing health funded personal social services, giving each participant on the Pilot Personalised Budget Project greater independence and choice in accessing services which best meet their individual needs.

The pilot Personalised Budget Project is currently in its demonstration phase and it is anticipated that up to 180 persons will participate in the project by either establishing a person managed fund where they are managing the service themselves, by entering into a co-managed arrangement with a current service provider, or by utilising the services of a broker to purchase services.

An extension to the demonstrator project was granted by Minister Rabbitte, which will see the project extend to Q3 2023 for admission to the demonstrator project, with the final evaluation due for completion in Q2 2024.

This extension will facilitate suitable applicant participation and allow time for a robust evaluation to be completed.