Value of €1.5bn disability service spend to be revealed

A study into the value achieved from €1.5bn spent on disability services is set to be delivered by the end of June.

Campaigners have called for the publication of the value-for-money review before any detailed discussion takes places on proposed cuts to services, supports, or respite grants.

The Department of Health confirmed the review was in its final stages and on course to be available to Minister Kathleen Lynch by month end.

The review team behind it has been looking at the efficiency of the structure of services and the overall policy guiding disability services funded by the Health Service Executive.

The department said it was intended to make the report public as soon as it was brought to Cabinet.

“The steering group is currently drafting its final report, taking into consideration the recommendations made by the policy review group and the results of the public consultation,” it said.

“On completion, it is the minister’s intention to look at the report and in conjunction with minister James Reilly to ensure that proposals for the future of the disability services are brought to Government for its consideration and publication in due course.”

The confirmation of the report’s status came after the former chief executive of Inclusion Ireland, Deirdre Carroll, criticised suggestions that the Government would look to make savings in funding for respite services.

She said while the Croke Park deal protected the pay and conditions of workers in the voluntary sector, savings were continually being sought from the front line.

Ms Carroll said that the rumours of cuts to respite funding would frighten families and people with a disability, and that any debate on potential savings should wait until after the publication of the value-for- money review.