SIPTU will oppose HSE attempt to cut disability services

Press Release: 31st August 2012 

SIPTU will oppose an attempt by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to cut the hours of Personal Assistants working in disability services.

SIPTU Organiser, Darragh O’Connor, said: “The HSE announced, yesterday (Thursday, 30th August), that it intends to cut by 7.7% the hours of care provided by Personal Assistants to people with disabilities in order to make an estimated saving of €10.8 million. This cut follows a 1.8% cut in 2011 and a 3.7% cut in 2012.”

“Personal Assistants help people with disabilities live an independent life with dignity in their own homes. The proposed cut will have a direct impact on services, which in turn will severely impact on the quality of life of people with disabilities.

He added: “These vital services are already overstretched and underfunded. The proposed further cut is morally repugnant, it will be opposed by this trade union and also by communities throughout Ireland when its full impact becomes clear.”

SIPTU will campaign to protect these vital services and is currently meeting with Personal Assistants across the country to discuss what action will be taken.

CE Appeals Mechanism: Materials & Training

Appeals Mechanism: Community Employment (CE) Materials and Training Grants

(Department of Social Protection)

Where a sponsor has sought to appeal the allocation of funds by the Department of Social Protection under the Materials and Training Grants, the sponsor may avail of the following Appeals Mechanism taking account of the following parameters that apply to the allocation:

1.             No scheme will receive more than a €1,000 for materials and training per place per annum.

2.             Some schemes may receive less than €500 per place per annum.

3.             Demonstrate that savings have been secured on 2011 expenditure, especially in areas of insurance and audit fees.

4.             No scheme will exceed the materials grant drawn down in the preceding year of operation.

5.             No scheme will receive more than it indicated it needed in the course of the financial review.

(i)            The sponsor shall in the first instance write a letter of appeal, clearly outlining the grounds for appeal, to the Divisional Manager of the Department of Social Protection, within seven working days of notification of the allocation of funds.

(ii)          The appeal shall be reviewed by the Divisional Manager and within fourteen working days from the date of receipt of the written appeal, a reasoned decision will be issued to the sponsor.

(iii)        In the event that the sponsor is dissatisfied with the decision, he or she may appeal the decision in writing to the Principal Officer, Employment Schemes, within seven working days of notification of the decision.  Any such written appeal shall clearly state the grounds for appeal of the original decision and the decision of the Divisional Manager.

(iv)         Upon receipt of an appeal, the Principal Officer, Employment Schemes, will consider the matter.  Where practicable, the consideration of the appeal should be completed within one calendar month of the date of receipt of the written appeal to the Principal Officer and a reasoned decision will be issued.  This decision will be final.