Minister Mc Grath warmly welcomed funding of €775,000 specifically for disability projects, noting that “the measures approved in this Action Plan will put in place a number of supports to provide equality of opportunity for people with disabilities and their families, and improve the quality of their lives.”

Summary of Dormant Account Measures

National Survey of Existing Transport Provision within Disability Services €80,000

This project will see the HSE carry out a national survey of existing transport provision within disability services to establish the extent of the provision, the cost of the provision, identify the gaps in provision and make recommendations for better use of existing resource.

Development of an eLearning Module for New Directions  €95,000

New Directions is the policy for the provision of day services and supports for People with disabilities. It is grounded in 12 supports to assist people with disabilities to achieve active citizenship and community participation

The module will be designed around the 12 Supports outlined in New Directions in order to achieve best outcomes for people with disabilities. This will primarily be a training tool for front line staff and managers of day services and will have a section applicable to all stakeholders.

Community Transition Co-Ordinators €450,000

Under this measure, Dormant Accounts funding will be used for the provision of 9 transition co-ordinators who will work across the non-priority congregated settings sites to support people with disabilities transitioning to community living to make meaningful connections and build network within the community.

Transition co-ordinators will assist in ensuring people with disabilities will not be isolated in community living. The co-ordinators will engage with people with disabilities to establish their will and preference and establish what is available in community by engaging with other Government departments and sectors.

Health Promotion Initiatives for People with Disabilities and their Carers/Families in their Community/Own Homes  €150,000

This project will be piloted in 3 HSE Community Health Organisation Areas with a range of health promotion initiatives targeted specifically at people with disabilities and their families/carers.  It is proposed that this will be linked closely with Healthy Ireland and the COMPASS Health Ireland Implementation Plan 2018-2022.