Healthcare Policy

Wednesday, 23 October 2024

Ceisteanna (192)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Ceist:

192. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the position regarding funding for the workable solutions pilot, an occupational therapy vocational rehabilitation service, which secured Sláintecare integrated innovation funding in 2022 for a 24-month period; if he is aware that acceptance of referrals to the service has been suspended due to a lack of commitment for continued funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43404/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health (Deputy Stephen Donnelly)

The Sláintecare Integration Innovation Fund (SIIF), a ring-fenced multi-annual fund supporting projects with a focus on delivering the Right Care, in the Right Place, at the Right Time by the Right Team, is fostering a culture of innovation to support the delivery of health service reform. Its aim is to test and evaluate projects that serve as a ‘proof of concept’ with a view to mainstreaming and scaling successful projects.

Since 2019, SIIF has funded and tested over 130 projects that serve as a “proof of concept”, for innovative and integrated models of care, which led to the mainstreaming & scaling of successful projects.

The project referred to by the Deputy is one of a number of SIIF projects currently being evaluated. Once that evaluation is complete, the decision on the future of the project will be communicated to the Project.