Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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636. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the supports available to the elderly parents of children with special needs (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37019/24]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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637. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the work of the personal assistance review group to develop a protocol for the eligibility and allocation of personal assistant services based on a universally agreed definition. [37039/24]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The HSE provides a range of assisted living services including Personal Assistant (PA) services to support individuals to maximise their capacity to live full and independent lives.

PA Services are provided either directly by the HSE or indirectly through a range of voluntary and private service providers. The majority of specialised disability provision (80%) is delivered through non-statutory sector service providers.

PA services provide one-to-one support to people with physical disabilities. The service facilitates a person’s independence, improves their quality of life, and supports them to participate in their local community. A PA support can range from a few hours a week to daily assistance.

PA services are led and directed by the individual in receipt of the service. The individual is the key decision-maker in determining the support they need as well as the activities they need support with, enabling them to achieve maximum control over their life by tailoring the service to meet their unique support requirements.

In 2024, 80,000 additional PA hours have been funded, bringing the target for delivery to approx. 1.77m PA hours supporting over 2,600 adults across the country.

A Personal Assistance (PA) Review Group has been established by the HSE. The purpose of the PA Review Group is to develop a protocol for the eligibility and allocation of personal assistance services based on a universally agreed definition, in collaboration with my Department, people with disabilities and providers.

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.