Minister of State for Disability & Mental Health, John Moloney T.D. published the findings of a public consultation process undertaken as part of a Value for Money Review of Disability Services on 3rd December, 2010. The Minister also published draft policy proposals outlining a shift from existing disability service models towards a system of individual supports and individualised budgeting.
The full consultation report is now available on the Department of Heath & Children’s website
Almost 200 people responded to the public consultation process which was undertaken by the Office for Disability & Mental Health as part of a Value for Money & Policy Review of the Disability Services. Respondents included service users and their families, statutory and voluntary service providers, staff members, advocacy organisations and representative bodies.
Also published on the Department’s website is a summary of the key proposals emerging from a recently-completed Review of Disability Policy. It proposes a reframing of disability services towards a model of individualised supports, underpinned by mainstreaming of all public services. State funding would be allocated based on an independent assessment of individual needs. Following the needs assessments, individual support plans would be drawn up and individualised budgets allocated from which the supports and services needed would be purchased.
A number of mechanisms are proposed to achieve this, including direct payments, where the person manages the budget and purchases the supports themselves, or a broker system, where the person has the choice and control, but the broker administers the budget and commissions supports and services on their behalf.
The policy review, undertaken by an Expert Group, was commissioned to inform the Value for Money Review of Disability Services, which is due to be completed in 2011. A summary is now available on the Department of Health & Children’s website. It is expected that the full report of the Expert Group will be the subject of a formal consultation process in the first half of 2011.