Disability Services

Tuesday, 18 June 2024

Questions (58)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

58. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of young people who are 16 years-of-age and over who are awaiting on their individual family support plan to be confirmed for transitioning to adult services for the years 2023 and 2024 to date in the HSE south west region; the number of young people over the age of 16 years and their families are awaiting HSE referrals to adult services in the HSE south west region for the years 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26065/24]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Adult day services are HSE funded programmes to provide day service supports to people, age 18 and over, with intellectual disabilities, autism, or people with complex physical disabilities. These services are demand led and the number of new places in any year reflects the number of applications from young people leaving school.

The majority of young people due to leave school in a given year that require a HSE funded day service have been profiled by the end of the previous year to establish their support needs. Once needs are identified, referrals are made to the service provider of choice, funding is committed and negotiations are concluded with providers by the end of May to confirm placements to young people and their families. In many instances young people due to leave school at end of June are introduced to their day services for trialing purposes during April, May and June so there is a natural transition into day services in September.

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