HSE Disability Services organises specialist disability support services. These are provided mainly by voluntary disability organisations, but also by the HSE itself, and by a small number of private bodies. Some people get their own budget from the HSE to hire their own support staff.
The services include:
- early intervention
- specialist therapy teams for people with complex needs
- day services and support to participate in the community
- personal assistance
- home support
- respite and short breaks
- supported housing and residential care
- other community services and supports – this includes the advice and support from organisations that help people living with a particular condition like sight or hearing loss
A recent report from the Department of Health, Disability Capacity Review to 2032 – A Review of Social Care Demand and Capacity Requirements to 2032, has estimated how many people will need these different services between now and 2032.
The first Action Plan for Disability Services will cover the next four years, 2022-2025. An outline of what is being considered is available in full and in summary.
To help prepare that plan, we want to hear from you what you think the biggest gaps are, and what you think should be the most important actions taken over the next four years to improve these disability services.